The origin of the explosion at the Gaza hospital is still debated, while Israel and Hamas accuse each other. Visiting Tel Aviv, American President Joe Biden exonerated Israel but obtained the passage of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip from Egypt.
In the aftermath of the deadly explosion at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, confusion still reigns over the origin and results of the tragedy. While Israelis and Palestinians accuse each other, American President Joe Biden exonerated Israel on Wednesday, October 18, during a visit to Tel Aviv. The tenant of the White House, however, obtained from his ally a green light for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, via Egypt. Here’s what to remember from the day.
Joe Biden evokes an “out of control rocket” and exonerates Israel
“Based on the information we have had so far, it appears that (the strike) was the result of an out-of-control rocket fired by a terrorist group in Gaza.”Islamic Jihad, declared Joe Biden, who claims to have convincing evidence from the Pentagon.
“We continue to gather information, but our position today, based on analysis of aerial images, intercepted communications and open access information, is that Israel is not responsible for the explosion that occurred at the Gaza hospital”also declared Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the American National Security Council, on the social network X.
Hamas reports at least 471 deaths, according to a report subject to controversy due to the size of the affected area, as shown in images analyzed by Radio France.
US President secures passage of humanitarian aid from Egypt
At the end of Joe Biden’s high-risk visit, Israel assured that humanitarian aid would be able to enter the Gaza Strip, deprived of everything for almost ten days. Speaking to the press, the American president affirmed that Israel had given the green light, thus responding to the request of the American authorities and the international community.
“Israel will not prevent humanitarian aid from Egypt as long as it involves food, water and medicine for the civilian population in the southern Gaza Strip”then confirmed, in a press release, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel, however, clarified that this aid will not pass through its territory until the hostages held by Hamas are released. Humanitarian aid will therefore pass exclusively through Egypt and the Rafah crossing point, in the south of the Gaza Strip. During a stopover in Germany on the way back, Joe Biden said that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, with whom he had just spoken, had “accepted” of “let up to 20 trucks cross” the border.
Thousands demonstrate after hospital explosion
Despite Israel’s denial, thousands of people demonstrated across the Arab world to express their outrage after the explosion murderer at Gaza hospital. Calls to a “day of anger” had been launched. Large rallies took place in Amman (Jordan), Tunis (Tunisia), Beirut (Lebanon), Damascus (Syria) and other capitals, such as Manama (Bahein). In Türkiye,he thousands of people gathered, for the second evening in a row, in front of the Israeli consulate in Istanbul.
In the United States, around a hundred demonstrators occupied an American Congress building to demand elected officials and the Biden administration that they push for a ceasefire in Gaza, shelled by Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7. The demonstration was organized at the call of the Jewish Voice for Peace movement, which which brings together Jewish people opposed to Israeli colonization.
Palestinian Authority calls for investigation by International Criminal Court
“We need an international investigation,” launched the representative in France of the Palestinian Authority, Hala Abou Hassira, during a press briefing at the Palestinian mission in France. She announced that the Palestinian state had filed a case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to “have an investigation regarding” the shot hitting the hospital.
Hala Abou Hassira has no doubts about the perpetrators of the strike. “Israel is solely responsible (…) This is not the first time that Israel has targeted civilian infrastructure and more particularly hospitals”she said.
Twenty-four French people died in Hamas attack in Israel
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne reported a new toll concerning the French people who died during the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on Saturday October 7. “Twenty-four of our compatriots are dead, seven are still missing and several are probably held hostage in Gaza”, declared the head of government in the Senate. Elisabeth Borne also announced that 3,500 French people have been repatriated from Israel to France over the past ten days.
A debate will be organized “next week” in Parliament “on the situation in the Middle East”also indicated the Prime Minister during the government questions session.