In a significant development, the U.S. government has released an assessment absolving Israel of responsibility for the devastating explosion that occurred at a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday. The explosion, as reported by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, resulted in the tragic deaths of hundreds of civilians. The statement, issued by White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, pointed to intelligence suggesting that “some Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip believed that the explosion was likely caused by an errant rocket or missile launch carried out by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).” These militants were actively investigating the incident.
The statement further emphasizes that “The U.S. government assesses that Israel was not responsible for an explosion that killed hundreds of civilians yesterday at the al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in the Gaza Strip.” This assessment is grounded in a comprehensive review of available reporting, including intelligence data, missile activity, and open-source video and image evidence.
However, skepticism prevails in the Middle East regarding the Israeli and U.S. assessments of the hospital blast. Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, expressed doubts, stating, “Nobody is buying that narrative in this part of the world.” He stressed that an independent international inquiry, supported by impeccable evidence, was the only way to change the prevailing narrative.
The Gaza health ministry, administered by Hamas, reported that the hospital blast had claimed the lives of 471 individuals and left over 314 injured. Palestinian officials initially attributed the explosion to an Israeli airstrike, while Israel maintained that it resulted from a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group, which disavowed responsibility.
Egypt’s President, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, has taken a humanitarian step by agreeing to open the Rafah border crossing into Gaza for the delivery of essential aid. U.S. President Joe Biden announced that Israel had consented to the reopening of the Egypt-Gaza border for the delivery of food, water, and medical supplies. This move follows an 11-day blockade, with the condition that the humanitarian assistance is not diverted by Hamas for its own purposes.
President Biden has been candid in his discussions with Israel’s leaders, emphasizing the imperative of providing aid to the suffering Palestinian population in Gaza. He stated, “Israel has been badly victimized, but the truth is they have an opportunity to relieve the suffering of people who have nowhere to go. It’s what they should do.” The President also warned that if Israel failed to do so, it would face accountability, potentially viewed as unfair.
In a related development, the U.S. exercised its veto power at the UN Security Council, blocking a resolution that called for humanitarian corridors into the Gaza Strip, a temporary ceasefire, and the withdrawal of the order for civilians to vacate the northern area of the besieged enclave. The United Kingdom abstained from the vote.
Protests across the Middle East have persisted, with thousands of individuals demonstrating against Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. Following the call by Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah for a “day of rage,” protests have extended to various countries, including the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, and Iran.
Amid these developments, Sheik Hassan Yousef, the political leader of Hamas in the West Bank, indicated that the group would be open to releasing some hostages if Israel agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire. He stressed that Hamas was not interested in holding women and children hostage and would consider releasing them, along with foreign hostages, during a ceasefire dedicated to facilitating humanitarian aid delivery into Gaza.
Notably, several hundred people were reportedly arrested during a protest at the U.S. Capitol following an outdoor rally in Washington, with demonstrators calling for U.S. intervention to secure a ceasefire. This event, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now, both Jewish-led organizations advocating for Palestinian liberation, aimed to draw attention to the ongoing conflict. Activists wore shirts bearing the message “ceasefire now” and held signs that read “Jews say stop genocide of Palestinians.”
Additionally, Rishi Sunak is scheduled to visit Israel to meet with its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and President, Isaac Herzog, with a focus on urging the opening of a route into Gaza for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the exit of those trapped in the territory.
The situation remains volatile, marked by ongoing protests, international diplomatic efforts, and humanitarian concerns in the region.
