Israel blames Palestinian Islamic Jihad for Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital massacre

The Hamas terrorist organization claimed that hundreds of Palestinians were killed in a bombing of a medical institution in Gaza City by the Israeli military. However, a preliminary investigation by the IDF insists that the explosion at the site was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist group.

The Hamas Health Ministry reported Tuesday afternoon that hundreds of Palestinians were killed in an explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in the Zeitun neighborhood of Gaza City. According to health officials, at least 500 people died at the hospital, where there were thousands of refugees.

After Hamas issued the statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Daniel Hagari, stated that the incident was under investigation but could be "a failed attack or false information from Hamas."

However, following an investigation by the IDF and its intelligence report, Israel claimed that the event that caused a large number of casualties at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was the result of a failed rocket launch by PIJ.

According to the report, no IDF air activity was reported at the time of the incident. The explosion reportedly occurred when a flurry of rockets was launched from Gaza into Israel.

Later, in a more definitive statement, the IDF stated that, based on "intelligence information, a failed Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) rocket caused the deadly blast at the Gaza hospital."

In its statement, the IDF says that "from the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed through the vicinity of the hospital when it was hit."

"According to intelligence information, from several sources we have, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital," the IDF added, sharing a video of the explosion.

The Israeli military had also previously clarified in the statement that hospitals are not among its targets, a spokesperson told Fox News.

"A hospital is a highly sensitive building and is not an IDF target. The IDF is investigating the source of the explosion and, like always, is prioritizing accuracy and reliability."

In line with the army's statement, Talya Lankri, a senior reserve officer and former National Security Council deputy director, also stated on Channel 12 news that "the IDF does not hit hospitals. That is not a target."

The officer also said she believes the IDF investigation into the incident "will either show some kind of technical malfunction or a failed launch of some kind or another from within Gaza."

Between 30% and 40% of rockets fired by Hamas fall in the Gaza Strip.

Following the IDF investigation and statements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the culprits behind the massacre at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital were the Gaza terrorists.

"So the whole world knows: The barbaric terrorists in Gaza are the ones who attacked the Gaza hospital, not the IDF. Those who cruelly murdered our children murder their own children as well," the prime minister said.

In addition, the Israeli Foreign Ministry shared a video captured live by Al Jazeera the moment the rocket hit the hospital in Gaza.

The IDF also took aim at the international press for claiming that Israel attacked Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital without evidence.

"Media outlets around the globe were quick to run Hamas' headlines—without fact checking. We now know that an Islamic Jihad rocket aimed at Israel misfired and hit the hospital in Gaza," the IDF wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

In addition to Israeli sources, independent reports stated that the geolocation and timing of the rocket's trajectory confirm that the missile was launched from Gaza and, on the way, disarmed, and part of it fell on the health center.

U.S. President Joe Biden showed his condolences to the victims at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.

"I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened. The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy."

This is a developing story.