Attack on Al-Ahli Hospital In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a devastating Israeli airstrike reportedly hit a Gaza City hospital, leading to hundreds of casualties. This incident, if confirmed, would be the deadliest Israeli airstrike in the region since 2008, marking a grim milestone in the conflict.

The Attack on Al-Ahli Hospital:

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that a hospital in Gaza City, Al-Ahli Hospital, was struck by an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday. The hospital was filled with wounded individuals and Palestinians seeking shelter from the conflict. Shocking photos revealed the aftermath of the attack, with fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass, and scattered body parts. The ministry reported that at least 500 people lost their lives in this devastating incident.

Hospitals as Safe Havens:

With the conflict intensifying, several hospitals in Gaza City had become refuges for hundreds of people who were seeking safety, hoping that these facilities would be spared from bombardment. Israel had ordered residents of Gaza City and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip in an attempt to reduce civilian casualties.

Diplomatic Efforts to Deliver Aid:

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsened due to Israel’s restrictions on the entry of water, fuel, and food since a recent Hamas attack, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish a mechanism for delivering aid to Gaza’s 2.3 million people. Attack on Al-Ahli Hospital While this step appeared modest, it was seen as significant progress in addressing the dire situation. However, as of late Tuesday, no concrete agreement had been reached.

Israel’s Demands for Aid Delivery:

Israel’s National Security Council head, Tzahi Hanegbi, emphasized that aid delivery was contingent on guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize the aid. He also mentioned that Israel was linking aid delivery to the return of hostages held by Hamas, without specifying whether all hostages had to be released before allowing supplies into Gaza.

International Diplomatic Efforts:

U.S. President Joe Biden was preparing to visit the region as part of broader international efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating into a regional crisis. Tensions flared along Israel’s border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, operates. This increased the concerns about the conflict spreading further.

Uncertain Ground Invasion:

With tens of thousands of troops amassed along the border, Israel had been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza, but the specific plans remained uncertain. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht stated that preparations for the next stages of the war were underway but did not provide details.

Intensified Airstrikes:

In Gaza, heavy airstrikes led to dozens of injuries in the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. These attacks reportedly resulted in significant casualties, including the killing of senior Hamas figure Bassem Naim, a former health minister. Additionally, a devastating airstrike in Deir al Balah demolished a house, causing the deaths of a man and 11 women and children inside. Witnesses stated that there was no warning before the strike.

Civilian Casualties:

Israeli tank shelling targeted a UN school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had sought refuge. This led to six fatalities and numerous injuries, according to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency. In the past week, at least 24 UN installations had been hit, resulting in the loss of at least 14 agency staff members. Attack on Al-Ahli Hospital The Israeli military claimed that it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure, and command centers.

Impact on Civilians:

The conflict had forced over 1 million Palestinians to flee their homes, which accounted for approximately half of Gaza’s population. The UN reported that 60% of these displaced individuals were concentrated in a narrow area south of the evacuation zone. Attack on Al-Ahli Hospital Aid workers warned that Gaza was on the brink of a complete collapse, with hospitals at risk of losing electricity, and hundreds of thousands of people struggling to access basic necessities like bread and water.

Challenges in Aid Delivery:

Efforts to provide aid were hampered by various challenges. While Israel briefly opened a water line into the southern part of Gaza, it benefited only 14% of the population. Aid waiting at the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s connection to Egypt, faced delays. Truckloads of aid were held at the border, including 300 tons of food from the World Food Program. Civilians with foreign citizenship, many of them Palestinians with dual nationalities, were also stranded at the Rafah crossing, desperate to leave.

Complicated Negotiations:

Reports indicated that there were ongoing negotiations involving the US, Israel, and Egypt regarding aid delivery, but an agreement had not been reached. Israel insisted on searching all aid shipments to ensure they would not benefit Hamas. Egypt proposed that the UN oversee the entire aid delivery process, both outside and inside Gaza.

Diplomatic Shifting:

The conflict prompted a shift in diplomatic efforts, with a greater focus on humanitarian aid. U.S. support for Israel’s campaign evolved to include a more prominent call for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. Arab leaders were becoming less tolerant of Israel’s military operations, and there were concerns that a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza could lead to outright condemnation of Israel, which would benefit Hamas and potentially encourage Iran. Attack on Al-Ahli Hospital

Biden’s Diplomatic Mission:

U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to the region aimed to signal strong support for Israel while also engaging with Arab leaders to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent the conflict from spreading further.

Tensions with Hezbollah:

Israel’s military operations also extended to its northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants operate. These tensions added to regional concerns about the conflict’s potential expansion.

Warnings of Regional Consequences:

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning, stating that Israel’s continued offensive in Gaza could provoke a violent reaction across the region. Muslim nations were growing increasingly frustrated with the ongoing bombardments.