Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement rejects Israeli claim it struck Gaza hospital

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement has rejected Israeli allegations that it struck the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday with a misfired rocket, which killed hundreds of people.

The group in a statement on Wednesday said Israel's attempts to point fingers at it were baseless, stressing that it does not make use of public facilities, particularly hospitals, for military purposes.

The statement said that the movement, along with other resistance groups in Gaza, is "committed to not using places of worship, public facilities, particularly hospitals, military centers, or weapon storage," and considers "Israeli accusations as a serious attempt to evade responsibility for such crimes and the targeting of other hospitals."

It said Israel made similar allegations and tried to distance itself from the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in May 2022.

More than 500 people were killed in the Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, according to Palestinian officials in the besieged enclave. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" to ease the "epic human suffering."

At least 3,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.