Between 200 and 300 people were killed in a strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, according to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.
Hamas blames Israel for the strike, which has sparked anger across the Arab world.
Israel said it was Islamic Jihad fighters who mistakenly launched the missile.
Some protesters in Tunisia waved Palestinian flags outside the French embassy, while others demanded the expulsion of the ambassador, accusing France of being one of the West’s “Zionist allies,” AFP reporters reported.
Another protest is planned outside the US embassy in Tunis later Wednesday, and rallies are expected in other cities, organizers said.
Speaking at an overnight meeting of the National Security Council, Tunisian President Kais Saied condemned the “international silence over the genocide” he said Israel is carrying out against the Palestinians.
Meanwhile, around 5,000 people gathered at the Israeli embassy in Amman. Jordanians who staged a protest after the strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip.
The Jordanian government said Israel “bears responsibility for this serious incident,” although the Jewish state’s military said it had evidence that Islamist militants were responsible for the strike.
Security forces blocked roads leading to the embassy, but the demonstration looked set to grow in size as a wave of anger erupted in Jordan, home to a large Palestinian refugee population.
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#large #protests #Israel #Tunisia #Jordan
**Interview with Dr. Layla Al-Farouq, Middle East Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Al-Farouq, thank you for joining us today. The recent explosion at a hospital in Gaza has led to tragic loss of life and widespread protests across the Middle East. What are your thoughts on the situation?
**Dr. Al-Farouq:** Thank you for having me. The explosion at the hospital is indeed a heartbreaking event, and the reported casualties are devastating. The blame game that followed—Hamas blaming Israeli airstrikes, and Israel attributing the explosion to a failed rocket by Islamic Jihad—only adds to the complexity of this conflict. Regardless of the source, the loss of life is considerable and further inflames tensions.
**Interviewer:** We’ve seen a surge of protests in response to this incident, particularly in places like Tunisia. Why do you think this event has resonated so strongly across the Arab world?
**Dr. Al-Farouq:** The explosion has tapped into a deep-seated frustration within the Arab world regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The perception of international inaction and complicity in Palestinian suffering is a powerful rallying point. In Tunisia, for example, protesters are expressing their outrage not only at the violence in Gaza but also at their governments’ responses and alliances with Western powers. This incident has become a symbol of the broader struggle many feel for justice and recognition of Palestinian rights.
**Interviewer:** Tunisian President Kais Saied has condemned what he calls an “international silence over the genocide” in Gaza. How significant is political leadership’s vocal stance in this context?
**Dr. Al-Farouq:** Political leaders in the Arab world play a crucial role in shaping public sentiment and action. President Saied’s strong words resonate with many who feel that there has been complacency from the international community, specifically regarding actions toward Israel. His condemnation can catalyze further protests and mobilization, reflecting a collective frustration among Arabs. However, it also highlights a delicate balancing act for these leaders, as they try to address local sentiments while managing international relations.
**Interviewer:** considering the events unfolding, what are likely next steps in terms of protests and international response?
**Dr. Al-Farouq:** We can expect a wave of protests to continue, especially in cities with significant Arab populations, advocating for Palestinian rights. These events often draw attention and can press governments to take a more active role in diplomacy. On the international front, how Western nations respond will be pivotal. They may face increased pressure to engage more actively in the peace process, particularly if protests escalate or if violence reignites in the region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Al-Farouq, for your insights into this critical issue.
**Dr. Al-Farouq:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we continue to have these conversations.
