Following the continuous Israeli assaults, numerous injured individuals and civilians found refuge in Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, deeming it the most secure location. Regrettably, On Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at about 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT), there was an explosion at the hospital with inhumane casualties. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, instructed authorities to urgently send medical supplies to Palestinian hospitals, emphasizing the indiscriminate killing of hundreds of innocent civilians, primarily women and children, by the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF).

“We witnessed the tragic loss of lives, including children, in the bombing of a hospital in Gaza by Israel. I urge world leaders to halt the conflict and arms build-up,”

–  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

As per Palestinian authorities, the explosion claimed the lives of a minimum of 500 individuals, an event they attribute to an Israeli airstrike. The first significant visual proof of the occurrence was a 20-second video that spread on social media and claimed to show the explosion. Numerous world leaders and countries joined in condemning the attack, including Bangladesh, which strongly denounced the “barbaric air strike” on Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.

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Hamas armed groups attributed the explosion at Ahli Arab Hospital to Israel, describing it as “a crime of genocide” that exposed what they deemed the “ugly face” of Israel. They reported that the casualties included displaced families, patients, children, and women, with approximately 500 people killed. In contrast, the Israel Defense Forces denied responsibility, claiming that an errant rocket fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad struck the hospital site. Hamas also denied involvement in the incident.

President Joe Biden’s planned meeting in Jordan was canceled due to the recent escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. This visit was a significant part of his trip to the Middle East on October 18, 2023. The cancellation came after an explosion at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City resulted in the tragic death of at least 500 people and caused global outrage.

Bangladesh to Provide Gaza with Emergency Medical Assistance

The Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, has directed the authorities to promptly dispatch medical supplies, including medicines, to Palestinian hospitals. The Prime Minister issued this order to Health Minister Zahid Maleque via a phone call on the evening of Wednesday, 18th October 2023. In a separate development, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina strongly condemned the reported Israeli attack on a Gaza hospital that resulted in the tragic loss of hundreds of innocent lives.

“I urge everyone to pray for them after Jumma in every mosque and as well as other religious institutions. And we will observe a day of mourning on Saturday, during the time our national flag will be flown at half-mast.”

– Sheikh Hasina

Regarding the medical assistance for Palestinians, Maleque stated, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed us to provide medicine to Palestine, demonstrating her commitment to easing the suffering and pain experienced by the Palestinian people.”

In a statement condemning the airstrike, the Foreign Ministry affirmed, “This ruthless attack flagrantly violates international humanitarian laws and agreements, constituting a severe crime against humanity.”

Bangladesh maintains that the international community must now address the root causes of the ongoing conflict. It is evident that denying the Palestinians their dignity of life while living under Israeli occupation and enduring forced settlements on Palestinian territory will not lead to peace in the region.

Bangladesh underscores the Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination and supports a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as outlined in UNSC Resolutions No 242 and 338.

As a result, Bangladesh underscores the Palestinians’ inalienable right to self-determination and supports a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as outlined in UNSC Resolutions No 242 and 338.

Furthermore, Bangladesh calls upon the international community, including the United Nations, to denounce this heinous act and expedite humanitarian access to the affected territory.The perpetrators of this criminal act must be held accountable for their actions, and efforts must be made to halt the barbaric war, preventing further loss of life and suffering among innocent civilians who have become war victims, as detailed in the statement. -Bangladesh also urges all relevant parties to engage in negotiations and work toward a lasting solution to the situation in Palestine.

Al-Ahli Arab Hospital: Where is it?

According to the Jerusalem diocese’s website, the hospital in Gaza is not only the oldest but also the sole Christian hospital. This establishment is among the 22 hospitals in the northern Gaza region, all of which are grappling with the ongoing crisis. In the wake of this crisis, characterized by Israeli attacks on residential infrastructure, over 3,300 Palestinians have lost their lives, and more than 13,000 have been wounded.

It is situated in Gaza’s Old City, positioned between the Shujaiya and Zeitoun neighborhoods within Gaza City.  The largest public hospital serving the 2.3 million residents of the enclave. Additionally, the facility is in close proximity to several historic sites in Gaza, such as the Great Omari Mosque (also known as Gaza’s Great Mosque) and two of Gaza’s churches: St Philip the evangelist chapel and St Porphyrius Church.

Established in 1882, Al-Ahli is one of the oldest hospitals in Gaza, catering to over 45,000 patients on an annual basis.

Number of Attacks on Healthcare Facilities in October

Since the conflict began on October 7, there have been more than 115 attacks on healthcare facilities in Palestine, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

UN Special Reporter on the right to health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, expressed concern, stating that Gaza’s medical infrastructure has suffered irreparable damage. Healthcare providers are facing dire circumstances with limited access to medical supplies, making it difficult to deliver timely and high-quality healthcare.

International Reactions to a Deadly Strike on a Hospital in Gaza

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed horror at the incident, strongly condemning the strike without assigning blame.
• The African Union chief, Moussa Faki Mahamat, accused Israel of a war crime and called for international action.
• The Arab League’s Ahmed Aboul Gheit urged the West to stop the tragedy and warned that war crimes would not go unpunished.
• Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi condemned the Israeli bombing and termed it a clear violation of international law.
• European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Josep Borrell, emphasized the need to establish responsibility and hold the perpetrators accountable.
• French President Emmanuel Macron called for the opening of humanitarian access to Gaza.
• The Hezbollah movement called for a “day of rage” against Israel, while the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) condemned the strike.
• Several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, criticized Israel’s actions.
• The United States expressed outrage and sorrow over the incident, with President Joe Biden engaging with regional leaders.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) called for an end to violence in Gaza and immediate access for delivering life-saving supplies. These responses reflect international concern and condemnation of the hospital strike in Gaza.

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