Gaza:
A brutal Israeli airstrike on a Gaza hospital killed hundreds of Palestinians, deepening tensions in the Middle East and raising the stakes for US President Joe Biden as he calls on Israel on Wednesday to signal support for the war against Hamas. Had arrived.
Health officials in Gaza said at least 3,300 people have now been killed in Israel’s brutal bombardment.
US President Joe Biden pledged solidarity with Tel Aviv in the war against Hamas and backed its statement that an explosion at a Gaza hospital that killed a number of Palestinians was caused by Palestinian fighters.
The Israeli attack sparked global condemnation and angry protests across the Muslim world.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden said: “I am deeply saddened and outraged by the hospital explosion in Gaza yesterday, and based on what I have seen, it appears as if it was carried out by another team. Was, not you.”
“But there’s a lot of people out there who aren’t sure, so we’ve got a lot of work to do, we’ve got a lot of things to overcome,” Biden said.
“The world is watching. Israel has a value set, just like the United States and other democracies, and they’re looking to see what we’re going to do.”
Palestinian officials said Israeli airstrikes targeted the hospital, with the Palestinian Authority’s health minister accusing Israel of committing “genocide”.
Mourners walk near the bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks. Photo: Reuters
This disaster has created a stir in the area. Palestinian ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said rescue workers were still pulling bodies from the debris.
Al Jazeera showed footage showing a frantic scene as rescue workers sifted through blood-soaked debris for survivors. Rescue workers and civilians were shown carrying several victims in body bags. The Gaza civil defense chief put the death toll at 300, while health ministry sources put it at 500.
Biden’s complex diplomatic mission in the Middle East was aimed at pacifying the region and promoting humanitarian efforts for Gaza, but following the attack, Jordan met with the US president, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. A planned summit was cancelled.
Abbas also canceled plans to meet with Biden after Palestinian security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse anti-government protesters in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, sparking anger.
Protests also took place near Israel’s embassies in Turkey and Jordan and the US Embassy in Lebanon, where security forces fired tear gas at protesters.
A view of damaged homes as Palestinians gather at the site of Israeli attacks in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the attack on a hospital in Gaza, which killed hundreds of Palestinians, was a shocking crime, adding that Israel should provide satellite images to prove it.
not involved in the attack
humanitarian aid
The Israeli military on Wednesday urged residents of Gaza City to move south and said a “humanitarian zone” with aid was available in al-Mawasi, 28 km (17 miles) down the coast of the Palestinian enclave.
“The IDF calls on #GazaCity residents to evacuate to the south for their own safety,” a social-media post from the army said.
Speaking to reporters as Biden flew to Tel Aviv, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Biden would ask “tough questions” of Israeli leaders, but did not provide details.
Kirby said Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet and receive information about Israel’s plans and objectives. They also aim to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, where millions of Palestinians are surviving with little food, fuel and water due to the Israeli siege.
“He’ll ask some tough questions, he’ll ask them as a friend, as a true friend of Israel, but he’ll also ask some of those questions,” Kirby said.
It was unclear what Biden would accomplish during his visit. Kirby said the US president planned to talk to Abbas and Sisi on his way back to Washington.
“Such a suspicious but horrific incident makes diplomacy difficult and increases the risk of escalation,” said Richard Gowan, UN director of the International Crisis Group.
An Israeli Merkava battle tank moves along the border with the Gaza Strip in Israel’s southern city of Sderot. Photo: Reuters
Biden has previously said the United States does not want the conflict to escalate into a broader war.
Iran has warned Israel of escalating tensions if it fails to end aggression against Palestinians.
The US State Department asked Americans not to travel to Lebanon after firing between Israel and Hezbollah in the south of Lebanon.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “horrified” by the hundreds of people killed in Tuesday’s attack on a hospital.
Guterres appealed to Hamas for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, and to Israel to allow immediate unrestricted access to humanitarian aid to Gaza.
