In a tragic turn of events, a massive blast shook the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday, leading to the deaths of hundreds of people. Health officials in Gaza reported that at least 500 individuals lost their lives in the devastating explosion. The incident sparked a heated exchange of accusations between Israeli and Palestinian officials, with each party blaming the other for the horrific attack.

Palestinian officials immediately pointed fingers at an Israeli airstrike as the cause of the blast. They firmly asserted that the hospital had been intentionally targeted, emphasizing the high number of casualties as evidence of their claims. On the other hand, Israeli officials vehemently denied any involvement in the attack, stating that their intelligence review indicated that a rocket launched by the militant group Islamic Jihad towards Israel had fallen short and caused the explosion.

The Gaza Health Ministry revealed that thousands of people had been displaced or injured as a result of the blast. The situation on the ground quickly spiraled into chaos and despair, with residents stranded in Gaza facing dire shortages of essential supplies such as medicine, food, water, and power.

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, took to Twitter to condemn the attack on the Al Ahli Arab Hospital. He expressed his shock and horror at the reported deaths and injuries, calling for the immediate protection of civilians and healthcare facilities. Dr. Ghebreyesus also urged the reversal of evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, emphasizing the critical need for the safety of both patients and medical professionals.

The United Nations' human rights chief, Volker T??rk, expressed his profound dismay in a statement, describing the incident as a "horrific massacre." He lamented the senseless loss of innocent lives, including patients, healthcare workers, and families seeking refuge in and around the hospital. T??rk called for an immediate halt to the violence and killings, urging all states with influence to work towards ending this tragic situation. He further emphasized the importance of holding those responsible for the attack accountable.

To support their claims, the Israeli military released a video showing rockets being launched from inside Gaza, failing to reach Israel, and instead striking the hospital. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), explained in a video statement that their analysis of operational systems indicated that the hospital had been hit during a barrage of rockets launched by terrorists in Gaza.

While the veracity of both sides' claims remains unverified, President Joe Biden expressed his outrage and deep sadness over the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza. He reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the protection of civilian life during conflicts and instructed his national security team to gather more information about the incident. President Biden was scheduled to visit Israel the following day, but Arab leaders canceled their planned meeting with him in Jordan due to the protests and concerns of violence in the West Bank.

The attack on the hospital triggered widespread condemnation and protests in various countries. Demonstrations erupted outside Israeli and U.S. embassies and consulates, highlighting the global outrage over the loss of innocent lives.

The Al Ahli Arab Hospital held immense significance as a shelter for thousands of residents who had fled their homes in northern Gaza to seek safety from Israeli airstrikes. Additionally, the hospital was one of 20 healthcare facilities in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military, as stated by the WHO. However, implementing these orders had become impossible due to the current insecurity, the critical condition of many patients, the lack of ambulances and staff, the limited bed capacity in the healthcare system, and the absence of alternative shelter for the displaced.

As the international community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, the need for immediate action to protect civilians and ensure their access to healthcare has become more pressing than ever. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency warned earlier on Tuesday that Gaza hospitals had less than 24 hours of fuel remaining, further exacerbating the already dire situation. In response to the attack, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas declared three days of mourning to honor the victims of the hospital blast.