Hailey Tran
The topic of Israel bombing hospitals in Gaza is a highly controversial and complex issue that has raised concerns among various international organizations and human rights groups. There have been multiple incidents where hospitals in Gaza have been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. One notable incident was the bombing of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in October 2023, which resulted in civilian casualties and sparked debates about the responsible party. While some evidence suggests that the explosion may have been caused by a rocket fired from within Palestinian territory, others argue that the damage is inconsistent with Israeli airstrikes and that Israel has a history of targeting hospitals in Gaza. The incident has led to widespread condemnation and calls for investigations into potential war crimes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the incident | 17 October 2023 |
| Hospital | al-Ahli Arab Hospital |
| Location | Gaza City |
| Number of casualties | Many civilians killed and injured |
| Cause of explosion | Rocket-propelled munition |
| Responsibility | Disputed between Israel and Palestinian armed groups |
| Evidence | Satellite imagery, videos, photos, witness statements |
| Reactions | UN Secretary-General, Human Rights Watch, Médecins Sans Frontières, Red Cross, Indian Prime Minister, Israeli President, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Turkey |
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What You'll Learn
The al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion
On October 17, 2023, an explosion at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza killed and injured many civilians. The cause of the explosion has been attributed to a rocket-propelled munition, commonly used by Palestinian armed groups, that hit the hospital grounds. However, the specific origin of the rocket remains uncertain, with some evidence suggesting it may have been fired from within Palestinian territory.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions and military strikes between Israel and Gaza. Israel's military had issued a general evacuation order to 22 hospitals in northern Gaza, including al-Ahli, citing safety concerns. However, the practicality and motivations behind this order have been questioned, as it is challenging to safely evacuate hospitals in Gaza due to the lack of secure escape routes and safe destinations.
The explosion at al-Ahli Arab Hospital has been widely condemned by international organizations and human rights groups. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed horror at the killing of Palestinian civilians in the strike. The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, demanded accountability for what he called a "totally unacceptable" and "horrific" act. Médecins Sans Frontières and the Red Cross also voiced their outrage, with the latter emphasizing their shock at the incident.
While the investigation into the explosion is ongoing, there are conflicting claims and analyses regarding the origin of the rocket. The Associated Press (AP) analyzed various videos, satellite imagery, and photos, concluding that the rocket was likely fired from within Palestinian territory. AP's assessment was supported by experts in open-source intelligence, geolocation, and rocketry. They noted that Palestinian rockets had previously failed and fallen inside Gaza, and the damage at the hospital was inconsistent with typical Israeli airstrikes or artillery weapons.
However, other analysts offer differing opinions. Xavier Tytelman, an air defense consultant, stated that the munitions used by Israel would have caused significantly more damage than what was observed at the hospital. He suggested that the rocket could have been an Iranian-designed Badr-3, which experienced a faulty detachment of its first stage during flight. While analysts could not rule out the possibility of a micro munition fired from an Israeli drone, they lacked evidence to support this theory.
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Israel's history of bombing hospitals in Gaza
Israel has a history of bombing hospitals in Gaza, which has resulted in the killing and injuring of civilians, as well as the destruction of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure.
On October 17, 2023, an explosion occurred at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing and injuring many civilians. While the cause of the explosion is disputed, with some attributing it to a rocket fired from within Palestinian territory and others suggesting the involvement of Israeli munitions, the incident underscores the tense context of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Israel has been accused of repeatedly targeting hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza, causing significant damage to the already fragile healthcare system. Human Rights Watch reported that Israeli military strikes on hospitals and ambulances marked with the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem violate the protections afforded to medical entities under the laws of war. These attacks have resulted in the displacement of over 1.5 million people and the deaths of more than 11,000 individuals, including 4,500 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
One notable incident mentioned is the week-long siege and shelling of Nasser Hospital, the largest hospital in southern Gaza, in February 2024. Israeli ground troops forced thousands of displaced people seeking shelter in the hospital compound to evacuate, claiming that Hamas was using the hospital for military operations and to hold Israeli hostages. This incursion is described as a continuation of Israel's relentless destruction of Gaza's healthcare system, with a disregard for the duty to respect and protect the wounded and sick under the Geneva Conventions.
Israel has defended its actions by stating that it targets hospitals only when they are being used as military control centres by Hamas or as "shields". However, these justifications have been met with scepticism and outrage, with some accusing Israel of obfuscation and unsubstantiated allegations. The systematic dismantling of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure has been normalised in public discourse, with the celebration of the destruction of hospitals in some cases.
The international community's response to attacks on hospitals in Gaza has been criticised for its hypocrisy and complicity. While the strike on an Israeli hospital by Iran in June 2025 elicited swift condemnation and outrage, the previous targeting of hospitals in Gaza failed to provoke a similar response, highlighting a double standard in the application of international law and humanitarian principles.
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The Israeli military's unlawful attacks on medical facilities
The Israeli military has been accused of conducting unlawful attacks on medical facilities in Gaza, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. These attacks have severely impacted the already fragile healthcare system in the region, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
One notable incident mentioned by multiple sources is the bombing of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on October 17, 2023. The explosion killed and injured numerous civilians, with Human Rights Watch attributing the blast to a rocket-propelled munition commonly used by Palestinian armed groups. However, the organisation also emphasised the need for further investigation to conclusively determine the origin of the rocket and whether the laws of war were violated. The Israeli military denied the use of large bombs, claiming that the damage was inconsistent with their weaponry.
Beyond this specific incident, there are reports of repeated Israeli strikes on hospitals and ambulances in Gaza. Human Rights Watch characterised these attacks as "unlawful" and emphasised the need for investigations into potential war crimes. The World Health Organisation has recorded around 700 attacks on healthcare facilities, with major hospitals such as al-Shifa, Nasser, and the Indonesian hospital being targeted. These attacks have resulted in the displacement of patients and medical personnel, further disrupting the fragile healthcare infrastructure.
The Israeli government has defended its actions, claiming that hospitals are being used as military control centres by Hamas. However, these justifications have been met with scepticism and condemnation from various quarters. The United Nations secretary-general, António Guterres, expressed horror at the killing of Palestinian civilians in the strike on a hospital. The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, demanded accountability for what he called a "totally unacceptable" and "horrific" strike.
The attacks on medical facilities in Gaza have had severe repercussions for the region's healthcare system, with limited access to essential medical care and a worsening health crisis. The repeated targeting of hospitals and ambulances, protected under the laws of war, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue and holding accountable those responsible.
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The Israeli government's blockade of Gaza
In 2007, Israel designated the Gaza Strip as a hostile entity and instituted a series of sanctions, including power reductions, stringent import restrictions, and border closures. In 2008, Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, but the blockade remained in place. In 2009, Israel said it would allow some humanitarian aid into Gaza but would continue its economic blockade.
The blockade has had a significant impact on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza. The number of exits from Gaza into Israel dropped from 500,000 per month before the blockade to just over 4,000 on average in the first seven years. In 2022, Israeli authorities approved only 64% of patients' requests to exit Gaza for specialised treatment. The volume of truckloads entering Gaza has also decreased, and Israeli forces have restricted access to areas within 300 metres of the Gaza side of the perimeter fence.
The blockade has been criticised by human rights groups as a form of collective punishment, restricting the flow of essential goods and contributing to economic hardship. It has also been called a war crime by Human Rights Watch and the WHO director-general, as it prevents civilians' access to food, water, medicine, and fuel.
In October 2023, Israel intensified the blockade, announcing a "total blockade" and blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity. This contributed to the Gaza genocide and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Despite easing the complete blockade a few weeks later, Israel continued to severely restrict aid. As of March 2025, Israel has completely blocked all supplies from entering Gaza.
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The destruction of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resulted in immense loss of life and property. The repeated attacks on hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza have been a cause of concern for humanitarian organisations and human rights groups. The destruction of Gaza's healthcare infrastructure has been termed a war crime by many.
The World Health Organisation has recorded around 700 attacks on healthcare facilities in the Gaza Strip. Major hospitals, including al-Shifa, Nasser, and the Indonesian hospital, have been targeted and suffered damage. The Israeli military has justified these attacks by stating that these hospitals are being used as military control centres by Hamas. However, the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, expressed horror at the killing of Palestinian civilians in a strike on a hospital. He was supported by the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, who demanded accountability for the "totally unacceptable" and "horrific" strike.
In addition to hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel have also been targeted. The Israeli military has, on several occasions, struck ambulances marked with the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem, often near hospitals. These attacks have resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians and medical staff. The Israeli government's blockade of Gaza, which prevents civilians' access to essential supplies like water, food, and medicine, further exacerbates the situation and amounts to collective punishment.
The repeated attacks on Gaza's healthcare infrastructure have resulted in the displacement of over 1.5 million people and the deaths of more than 11,000 people, including 4,500 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The destruction of hospitals and medical facilities has left the population of 2.3 million without access to essential medical care, food, clean water, and shelter. The attacks have been condemned by various international organisations and human rights groups, who have called for an immediate end to the unlawful targeting of civilian objects and an investigation into potential war crimes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Israel has bombed hospitals in Gaza. The World Health Organization has recorded around 700 attacks on healthcare facilities. Major hospitals such as al-Shifa, Nasser, and the Indonesian hospital have been targeted.
The secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres, expressed horror at the killing of Palestinian civilians in a strike on a hospital. The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, also condemned the attack. Médecins Sans Frontières, the Red Cross, and the Indian prime minister also responded with outrage.
Israel has denied wrongdoing, stating that it warns hospitals to evacuate before bombing them. Israel has also claimed that Hamas uses hospitals as military control centres and to hold hostages.
