Multiple people were killed and dozens injured in an IDF strike on the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah overnight, according to Palestinian reports.
Palestinian Authority-affiliated news site Wafa claimed that four people were killed and 70 injured from an IDF strike on “tents of displaced people” inside the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound.
In a statement, the IDF said it conducted “a precise strike on terrorists” operating inside the hospital compound.
“A short while ago, with the direction of IDF and ISA intelligence, the IAF conducted a precise strike on terrorists who were operating inside a command and control center in the area of Deir al-Balah. The command and control center, which was embedded inside a compound that previously served as the ‘Shuhadah Al-Aqsa’ hospital, was used by Hamas terrorists to plan and execute terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel,” the IDF statement said.
The military did not comment on reports of civilian deaths but said that it took “numerous steps” to mitigate the risk to civilians.
“Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence.”
The IDF noted that operating military facilities inside civilian infrastructure is against international law.
“This is a further example of the Hamas terrorist organization’s systematic abuse of civilian infrastructure in violation of international law. The IDF will continue to operate against Hamas in defense of the citizens of Israel.”
While several public figures were quick to condemn the strike on a hospital compound, videos shared widely on social media, including on Palestinian accounts, showed a number of secondary explosions as a fire burned in the compound, indicating the presence of munitions stored at the site.
Perhaps you have already seen videos coming from an attack in Deir al-Balah. The one posted here is tame, there are some very graphic scenes which I will not share.
There will be protests. There will be news reports. The world will no doubt jump to demonize Israel, as they’ve… pic.twitter.com/VnExDcHY2t
— 🇮🇱 Am Yisrael Chai 🇮🇱 (@AmYisraelChai_X) October 14, 2024
Wafa also reported that additional fires broke out in the areas surrounding the strike, but did not mention the secondary explosions.
Hospital records from Al-Aqsa Hospital showed four people listed as dead, and around 40 people wounded. According to reports, 25 people were transferred to the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza for burn wounds.
Since the war began last October, the IDF has shown multiple photos and videos to document that Hamas terrorists operate from within civilian sites.
Meanwhile, the U.S. administration has been continuing to put pressure on Israel, alleging there is a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and calling for more humanitarian aid.
Early Monday morning, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris posted a message on her 𝕏 account claiming that Israel was withholding food from entering northern Gaza, where the IDF has conducted a new, large-scale operation these past few days.
“The UN reports that no food has entered northern Gaza in nearly 2 weeks. Israel must urgently do more to facilitate the flow of aid to those in need. Civilians must be protected and must have access to food, water, and medicine. International humanitarian law must be respected,” she wrote.
The IDF’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) unit posted a video to 𝕏 later on Monday morning, showing aid trucks making deliveries into Gaza on Sunday.
A convoy of 30 trucks entered Gaza directly through Gate 96 yesterday (October 13).
The trucks carried food, hygiene products, and medical equipment.
We continuously urge the @UN aid agencies to coordinate more trucks for entry through Gate 96. pic.twitter.com/3YYj7iN1br
— COGAT (@cogatonline) October 14, 2024
COGAT has repeatedly refuted claims of starvation conditions in northern Gaza and even accused the United Nations of failing to choose and properly distribute aid that crosses into the Strip.
Earlier this year, the UN itself admitted it had halted much of its distribution due to armed groups that were attacking its convoys and widespread lawlessness.
