Israel Lays Out Case It Didn’t Attack Gaza Hospital

Israel on Wednesday offered what it said was proof that it wasn’t responsible for the deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital compound, an incident that has caused widespread outrage in the Middle East and complicated a visit to Israel by President Biden. 

Israelis and Palestinians blame each other for the explosion at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City Tuesday night, an event the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said killed at least 500 people. If the toll is confirmed, it would be the single deadliest incident in the enclave since the start of the war. 

The blast at the hospital compound provoked anti-Israel protests in the West Bank, Jordan and elsewhere in the region. Many also funneled their anger at the U.S. for supporting Israel. More protests are planned Wednesday. 

Biden declared his support for Israel and indicated that he believed Israel wasn’t responsible for the blast. Israel has said the explosion was caused by an errant militant rocket fired from within Gaza.