Deadly Hospital Blast in Gaza Complicates Biden’s Middle East Diplomacy

A devastating explosion at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in Gaza has sent shockwaves through the Middle East, complicating US President Joe Biden’s mission of peace and diplomacy. President Biden, who arrived in Israel on Wednesday to express solidarity and discuss war plans with Israeli leaders, now faces a deeply complicated situation following the tragic incident in Gaza.

The blast, which occurred without warning, has been met with conflicting claims. Palestinian officials have blamed Israel, alleging an air strike on the hospital, which was being used as a shelter by thousands of Gazans displaced due to Israeli bombing. Israel, however, denied responsibility, asserting that the explosion was caused by a failed rocket launch by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group. The conflicting narratives have only intensified tensions in the region.

President Biden, whose trip was aimed at calming the region while demonstrating support for Israel, found his mission derailed as a result of the tragedy. Arab leaders, in a sign of protest against the incident, called off a planned emergency summit in Jordan, where discussions were expected to focus on aid to Gaza and efforts to prevent a wider war. The cancellation underscores the growing frustration and anger in the region over the ongoing conflict.

The scenes of destruction at the hospital were horrifying, even amid the already dire circumstances faced by the people of Gaza. Rescue workers scrambled amidst the debris, searching for survivors. Conflicting casualty reports emerged, with a Gaza civil defence chief reporting 300 deaths, while health ministry sources put the toll at 500. The true extent of the tragedy is still being assessed as rescuers continue to extract bodies from the rubble.

In response to the incident, protests erupted across the Middle East. Palestinians took to the streets in the West Bank, expressing their anger and grief. Demonstrations were also reported at Israeli embassies in Turkey and Jordan, as well as near the US embassy in Lebanon, where security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

President Biden, deeply affected by the incident, expressed his “deepest condolences” to the victims and vowed to get to the bottom of the tragedy. He is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli war cabinet, pressing for answers and seeking clarity on the situation. Biden’s national security spokesperson, John Kirby, emphasised that the President would be asking tough questions of Israeli officials, highlighting the depth of his concern and commitment to resolving the crisis.

The international community has condemned the blast, with countries and officials worldwide expressing their condolences and urging restraint in the face of escalating tensions. As President Biden continues his diplomatic efforts in the region, the incident at the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital serves as a tragic reminder of the urgent need for peace and stability in the Middle East. The world watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution that can bring an end to the suffering of the people caught in the crossfire of this devastating conflict.

Kiki Garba.

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