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On 17 October 2023, an explosion took place in the courtyard of [[al-Ahli Arab Hospital]], located in [[Gaza City]], amid the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war]].
Thousands of displaced Palestinians sought refuge there, and the explosion resulted in an unprecedented number of casualties. The exact number of fatalities is unclear. Mohammed Abu Selmia, director of the nearby [[al-Shifa Hospital]], estimated a death toll of 250;<ref name="Abu-Selmia">{{cite news|title=What we know about the deadly blast at Gaza City's al-Ahli hospital|publisher=France24|date=17 October 2023|url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231018-what-we-know-about-the-deadly-blast-at-gaza-city-s-al-ahli-hospital}}</ref> a Gaza civil defense chief reported a toll of 300; and spokesmen from the Gaza Health Ministry have variously cited death tolls of "200 to 300"<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Yeung |first1=Jessie|last2=John|first2=Tara |last3=Mahmood|first3=Zahid|date=2023-10-17 |title=Hundreds likely dead in Gaza hospital blast, as Israeli blockade cripples medical response|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/17/middleeast/israel-gaza-rafah-crossing-week-2-tuesday-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2023-10-19 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> and 471.<ref name="Al-Mughrabi">{{cite news|last1=Al-Mughrabi|first1=Nidal|last2=Holland|first2=Steve|title=Biden, in Israel, says hospital blast appears to be caused by 'the other team'|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-heads-middle-east-inflamed-by-gaza-hospital-blast-2023-10-18/|work=Reuters|date=18 October 2023|time=3:30 PM GMT+3|accessdate=|archive-date=18 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018130252/https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-heads-middle-east-inflamed-by-gaza-hospital-blast-2023-10-18/|url-status=live}}</ref> Two independent analysts have estimated lower death tolls, based on open source intelligence and images of the area affected, showing minimal cratering or structural damage to the buildings.<ref name=GuardianPiecing /> Coverage of the event changed quickly with misinformation from Palestinian sources and social media, spreading to mainstream media and inciting worldwide support
The [[Hamas]]-run [[Gaza Health Ministry]] said the explosion was caused by an [[Israeli Air Force|Israeli]] airstrike. The [[Israeli Defense Forces]] (IDF) denied this, saying that "intelligence from multiple sources" shows that the explosion was caused by a [[Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|failed rocket launch]] by [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 October 2023 |title=After blast kills hundreds at Gaza hospital, Hamas and Israel trade blame as rage spreads in region|url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-biden-rafah-e062825a375d9eb62e95509cab95b80c |access-date=18 October 2023 |website=[[Associated Press]]|language=en}}</ref> An Islamic Jihad spokesman denied responsibility. US President [[Joe Biden]] supported Israel's position, citing intelligence from defense officials. Neither account has been independently confirmed.<ref name="verify"/>
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