2023-11-04 08:14:00
Israel admits airstrike on ambulance near hospital in Gaza, which witnesses say killed and injured dozens of people
Palestinians push an ambulance following a convoy of ambulances was attacked near the entrance to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
Israel claimed responsibility for the attack on an ambulance outside Al-Shifa hospital, the largest medical center in Gaza. According to witnesses, the bombing killed and injured dozens of people.
At least 15 people were killed and another 50 wounded, Hamas-led health authorities said Friday. Images from the scene showed at least a dozen bloodied victims scattered on the ground near an ambulance. There also appears to be some shrapnel damage to at least one of the cars at the scene.
Israel said it had attacked the ambulance because Hamas was using it, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). “An IDF aircraft hit an ambulance that the forces identified was being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in the vicinity of its position in the battle zone,” he explained.
“Several Hamas terrorist members were killed in the attack… We have information that shows that Hamas’ method of action is to transport terrorists and weapons in ambulances,” the statement added.
A spokesman for the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, who was at Al-Shifa hospital, said Israel was responsible for the attack.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said one of its ambulances was in the convoy but that none of its team members were injured in the attack.
The ambulance was damaged when a projectile landed near it, the PRCS said. “Upon reaching the door of Al-Shifa hospital, the door was attacked once more,” the organization said, adding that another Ministry of Health ambulance was directly attacked and dozens of civilians who were in the area were killed and injured.
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