Palestinians protest in West Bank after the hospital strike
Published: 05:10 PM,Oct 18,2023 | EDITED : 09:10 PM,Oct 18,2023
NABLUS: Palestinian protesters took to the streets in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, blaming Israel for a strike on a hospital in war-torn Gaza that killed hundreds.
Hundreds of protesters in Nablus, many draped in Palestinian flags and some holding banners, chanted slogans against Israel.
“I care about my people, I care about my city, I care about Gaza and Gaza people. So this is why I, perhaps in years I haven’t spoken out, I’m speaking now,” said Ferial, 50-year-old Nablus resident.
A similar sized protest took place in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where the crowd chanted in support of Hamas and against with Israel.
During the demonstration, a small group of Palestinians blocked a road and set tyres ablaze near a group of Israeli soldiers. Some threw stones, while others cobbled together Molotov cocktails.
The demonstration was held late on Tuesday in Ramallah, a short while after the hospital blast.
Health authorities in Gaza said the explosion killed at least 471 people and was caused by the latest in a wave of Israeli air strikes.
“The death toll of the largest and most violent massacre committed by the criminal Israeli occupation inside the Baptist Hospital reached 471 martyrs, and 28 critical cases remain, in addition to 314 people with various injuries,” the ministry said in a statement.
At least 3,478 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel began bombarding the coastal enclave, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
More than 12,000 others have been wounded in Israel’s response to attacks launched on Israel on October 7.
Ahead of the expected ground invasion, Israel gave one million residents of northern Gaza 24 hours to flee south.
Some 20 medical facilities have been told to evacuate. Electricity, water and fuel supplies have been cut.
International alarm has grown about the devastating impact of the war on Palestinian civilians.
According to World Health Organisation figures, there have been more than 100 attacks on hospitals, ambulances and other health care assets since October 7.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said hundreds died in Tuesday’s blast, including women, children, staff and “internally displaced people seeking safe shelter”. — AFP
Hundreds of protesters in Nablus, many draped in Palestinian flags and some holding banners, chanted slogans against Israel.
“I care about my people, I care about my city, I care about Gaza and Gaza people. So this is why I, perhaps in years I haven’t spoken out, I’m speaking now,” said Ferial, 50-year-old Nablus resident.
A similar sized protest took place in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where the crowd chanted in support of Hamas and against with Israel.
During the demonstration, a small group of Palestinians blocked a road and set tyres ablaze near a group of Israeli soldiers. Some threw stones, while others cobbled together Molotov cocktails.
The demonstration was held late on Tuesday in Ramallah, a short while after the hospital blast.
Health authorities in Gaza said the explosion killed at least 471 people and was caused by the latest in a wave of Israeli air strikes.
“The death toll of the largest and most violent massacre committed by the criminal Israeli occupation inside the Baptist Hospital reached 471 martyrs, and 28 critical cases remain, in addition to 314 people with various injuries,” the ministry said in a statement.
At least 3,478 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel began bombarding the coastal enclave, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
More than 12,000 others have been wounded in Israel’s response to attacks launched on Israel on October 7.
Ahead of the expected ground invasion, Israel gave one million residents of northern Gaza 24 hours to flee south.
Some 20 medical facilities have been told to evacuate. Electricity, water and fuel supplies have been cut.
International alarm has grown about the devastating impact of the war on Palestinian civilians.
According to World Health Organisation figures, there have been more than 100 attacks on hospitals, ambulances and other health care assets since October 7.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said hundreds died in Tuesday’s blast, including women, children, staff and “internally displaced people seeking safe shelter”. — AFP