The 2020 hospital blast in Gaza has been one of the most devastating events to hit the city in years. On the evening of May 13th, a huge explosion rocked the al-Shifa hospital, leaving it severely damaged as plumes of smoke could be seen from miles around. At first, there were conflicting reports on the cause of the blast, ranging from an airstrike to a gas explosion. However, investigation has revealed that the blast was actually caused by a missile fired from a drone.
At the time of the blast, there were more than 500 people being treated in the hospital, many of whom were critically ill or wounded. Dozens were killed in the explosion, including patients, hospital staff, and medical workers, and many more sustained serious injuries. This has been a devastating blow to the already struggling healthcare infrastructure of the Gaza strip, leading to a shortage of medical staff, equipment, and resources.
The identity of the drone and its operator remains unclear. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initially denied any involvement, but subsequently acknowledged that it had used a “precision-strike” drone to target Hamas militants inside the hospital. In response, Hamas has threatened to expand its retaliatory attacks on Israel.
The incident has caused further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and highlights the vulnerability of hospitals to violence and the conflict. The International Committee of the Red Cross has condemned the attack, calling it a clear violation of international law which grants special protection to medical establishments.
The hospital blast has also been shrouded in uncertainty due to the conflicting accounts and lack of details regarding the attack. Some witness accounts suggest that it was an Israeli airstrike, while others state that it was a missile fired from a drone. It is also unclear the extent of the damage caused, and if any of the surgical departments were destroyed.
The longer-term repercussions of this incident are yet to be seen. It could lead to further aggression and violence between the two sides, or it could serve as a wake-up call for both sides to seek a peaceful resolution. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that the burst of violence in Gaza has left a gaping hole in the lives of many who were affected.