Deadly Blast in Gaza Hospital Deepens Crisis as Israel Vows to Crush Hamas: Arab Leaders Condemn, Biden Summit Cancelled

In the wake of a deadly explosion in Gaza, Arab leaders have condemned the incident while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts that the country will continue its efforts to target militants in the region. The blast, which occurred at a Gaza City hospital, was caused by an errant rocket from Islamic Jihad, according to evidence provided by the Israeli military. However, Hamas claimed that it was an Israeli airstrike, leading to the cancellation of a summit planned with US President Joe Biden in Jordan. The explosion at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital has escalated concerns of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Israeli military has released videos and other evidence to support its claim that the hospital was damaged as a result of Islamic Jihad's rocket. Hamas, designated a terrorist group by the US and European Union, continues to insist that the catastrophe was caused by an Israeli airstrike. This claim resonated with several Arab leaders who swiftly condemned Israel and canceled the planned summit with President Biden. Despite the backlash, Netanyahu reaffirms Israel's objective to dismantle Hamas and vows to continue with its plans. Ophir Falk, a close aide to Netanyahu, emphasizes that the objective remains unchanged. However, there are concerns about the impact of the explosion on Biden's efforts to bring the Arab world to his point of view.

The evidence provided by Israel includes a recording, which cannot be verified by Bloomberg, of two Hamas operatives admitting that the explosion came from behind the hospital and produced local shrapnel. During his visit to Tel Aviv, President Biden remarked to Netanyahu that it seemed as though the blast was carried out by another team. In response to the explosion, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas returned to the West Bank, and Jordan's King Abdullah II canceled the planned summit in Amman.

Calls for immediate protection of civilians and healthcare in Gaza were made by the director-general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the strike, urging action to halt Israel's alleged brutality in the region. While there has been speculation about a possible reevaluation of Israel's approach with Biden in the region, the available evidence suggests otherwise. A record number of reservists have been called up, a military operating center has been established near Gaza, and warplanes continue to conduct operations over the territory. The goal remains to crush Hamas's ability to carry out similar attacks as the one on October 7.

Although a delay to a ground operation may result from the visits of top officials such as Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron, Israel remains vague about its plans. Internal discussions have suggested a war that could last months or longer, which could potentially serve a political advantage for Netanyahu by delaying an official investigation into the security failures that allowed Hamas operatives to carry out the October 7 attack. Israel's determination to demonstrate strength to its enemies has been fueled by shock over the sophistication and sadism of the attacks, as well as its own security system failures. The fear that citizens may leave if the risk of another attack persists fuels the resolve to neutralize the threat Hamas poses.

Israel's top military echelons believe that the ongoing threat necessitates an end to Hamas's governing of Gaza. In conclusion, Israel remains resolute in its efforts to target militants in Gaza despite condemnation from Arab leaders and the cancellation of the summit with President Biden. The explosion at the Gaza City hospital has intensified concerns about the humanitarian crisis, but Israel maintains that it was caused by an errant rocket from Islamic Jihad. The situation continues to evolve, and the war's outcome and duration remain uncertain as Israel seeks to dismantle Hamas and prevent future attacks.