Devastating Impact of Bombing at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza Leaves Many Dead and Injured

At around 7 p.m. local time on Tuesday, an explosion occurred in the courtyard of al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, setting off a large fire and leaving what appears to be a small impact crater. Hours later, a blast at the Ahmed Abdelaziz school in the southern city of Khan Younis killed at least five and left dozens injured, according to local health officials.

Agence France-Presse correspondents on the scene reported seeing dozens of bodies, and video confirmed by the Associated Press showed hospital grounds strewn with body parts. One man who responded to the explosion told the outlet he had “collected the eyes, arms, legs and heads of the deceased.”

The Israeli military had instructed residents in the north of Gaza to leave, so many Palestinians packed up and fled to the south, seeking refuge in schools, sheltered at hospitals, and lined up at the southern border. Video filmed at the hospital showed crying children and panicking residents filling the hallways.

The bombing of al-Ahli hospital this week has left many questions unanswered. However, it is clear that the incident has had a devastating impact on the people of Gaza, leaving many dead and injured and forcing many more to flee their homes.