Israeli Airstrike on Al-Aqsa Hospital Courtyard in Gaza Kills Four Displaced Palestinians, Many Burned Alive

Oct 14, 2024, 03:41 AM

Late on October 13, 2024, an Israeli airstrike targeted tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza Strip, igniting a fire that resulted in at least four deaths and over 70 injuries, according to Palestinian medics. The flames swept through the tents where families were sleeping, trapping people inside and causing some to be burned alive. Civil defense teams and local residents attempted to rescue the wounded and control the fires amid ongoing airstrikes. Journalist Saleh Al Jafarawi recounted witnessing people burning alive and being unable to assist them. The hospital, which has reportedly been targeted multiple times during the conflict, was sheltering displaced families who had set up tents in its courtyard seeking refuge. This incident adds to the mounting civilian casualties amid continued Israeli military operations in Gaza.