Palestinian Islamic Jihad Denies Israel's Accusations Of Bombing Hospitals In Gaza

The impact of the Israeli attack on Gaza October 2023. (Wikimedia Commons/Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contact with APAimages)

JAKARTA - The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement rejected Israel's accusations of attacking the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza with a wrong rocket that killed hundreds of victims.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, October 18, Palestinian Islamic Jihad said Israel's efforts to accuse the group of baseless.

The movement insists they do not use public facilities, especially hospitals, for military targets.

Palestinian Islamic jihad along with other resistance groups in Gaza have committed not to use places of worship, public facilities, especially hospitals, military centers, or weapons storage.

"Israel's accusations are a serious effort to avoid responsibility for such crimes and make other hospitals a target," Palestinian Islamic Jihad said.

According to the group, Israel has made similar accusations and is trying to distance itself from the murder of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022.

More than 500 people died as a result of Israeli airstrikes at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Tuesday (17/10), according to Palestinian officials in Gaza.

However, Israel denies responsibility for the airstrike.

The conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas launched "Operation Hurricane Al-Aqsa" against Israel. In a concurrent surprise attack from all those directions, Hamas fired rockets and infiltrated Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas called his attack in retaliation for the Israeli invasion of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied region of East Jerusalem and the increasing violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched an "Operation of the Iron Sword" in the Gaza Strip and fully blockaded the region so that local people did not get access to electricity and water, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies were running low.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ease "the great suffering of mankind."

At least 3,300 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, while Israel recorded the deaths of more than 1,400 of its citizens.