B’nai B’rith UK laments the loss of innocent life following the rocket strike that affected the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in Gaza yesterday

By BBUK In News On 18 October 2023

B’nai B’rith UK laments the loss of innocent life following the rocket strike that affected the Al-Ahli al-Arabi hospital in Gaza yesterday. We share the Prime Minister’s view that ‘any loss of innocent life is a dreadful tragedy’ and hope that those who have  suffered can receive full treatment.

It is disturbing that there was an immediate rush to hold Israel responsible for this attack. In one example, a BBC headline read: ‘Hundreds killed in Israeli strike on Gaza hospital – Palestinian sources’, an echo of Hamas’ claims made through its propaganda arm, the Ministry of Health. Yet Israel has issued a swift denial after carrying out a thorough, high level investigation of the matter using aerial footage, radar and operational data.

Israel has concluded that this rocket was fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which was operating last night close to the hospital. Israel also intercepted enemy communications which confirm the name of the hospital that was hit.

Israel’s version of events has since been supported by two independent sources, including an expert at the Royal United Services Institute and geolocation data. In addition, it has since emerged that the weapon hit the hospital’s car park, rather than the hospital itself, a factor that suggests the number of casualties may been deliberately exaggerated.

It it deeply disturbing that media outlets, including the BBC, are so willing to feign objectivity by parroting the claims made by Hamas propagandists rather than adopt a more questioning approach.

Jeremy Havardi
Director, Bureau of International Affairs