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16 Oct 2023 An Israeli air strike has hit Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City where thousands of civilians are seeking medical treatment and shelter from relentless attacks. The Gaza health ministry said at least 500 people died in the hospital blast. A United Nations-run school housing refugees was also hit.
Fighting is ongoing after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
Tensions are high with the prospect of ground war and evacuation orders for Gaza after the Israel Defense Forces called for “all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes” and “move south for their protection” early Friday, saying residents should move “and settle in the area south of the Gaza River.” The announcement was made, according to the IDF, because it plans to “operate significantly in Gaza City in the coming days” and wanted “to avoid harming civilians.”
Click here for the latest updates.
Latest headlines:
- At least 500 killed in strike on Gaza hospital: Gaza Health Ministry
- IDF preparing to implement ‘wide range of offensive plans’
- 3,000 tons of aid with nowhere to go as Gaza-Egypt border remains closed
- Biden to visit Israel
- Hostages suffering from amputated limbs, severe injuries from rape: Israeli forum
Timeline: The Hamas attack and response
Israeli forces responded by sending wave after wave of bombs into Gaza, killing thousands, trapping civilians and raising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
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Abbas pulls out of Biden meeting
Biden is expected to leave the U.S. Tuesday night to head to Israel and Jordan.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
At least 500 killed in strike on Gaza hospital: Gaza Health Ministry
The Israel Defense Forces denied responsibility for the attack, saying a failed launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad caused the blast.
“From the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed in the vicinity of the hospital, when it was hit,” IDF said.
The World Health Organization condemned the attack and called for “the immediate active protection of civilians and health care” workers.
This hospital “was one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military,” the WHO said in a statement. “The order for evacuation has been impossible to carry out given the current insecurity, critical condition of many patients, and lack of ambulances, staff, health system bed capacity, and alternative shelter for those displaced.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has declared three days of mourning following the attack.
-ABC News’ Will Gretsky
Israeli official: Gaza aid must not go to Hamas
The aid would be “on one condition,” Hanegbi said in Hebrew. “If this aid does not reach civilians, but goes to murderers, [the safe zones] will simply not exist.”
Rafah border crossing endured 4 bombings from Israel, Egypt says
“We are in constant contact with all U.N. agencies to extract a safe passage for the relief aid,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told BBC Radio. “There is not yet any sort of authorization for a safe passage from the other side of the crossing.”
Shoukry also called out Israeli leaders who urged Gaza residents to move south, saying, “Israel’s call for displacement to the South is in full contradiction to international humanitarian law, leaving people with no water, electricity or food.”
Gaza school sheltering families hit by airstrikes
IDF preparing to implement ‘wide range of offensive plans’
Gaza death toll climbs to 3,000
Turkey, France in talks with Hamas
Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, said it’s launched talks with Hamas’ political wing as it efforts the release of foreigners, civilians and children.
Israel’s security chief takes responsibility for intelligence failure
Bar said there will be time for an investigation, but for now, Israelis are fighting.