Assessment of the Al Ahli Hospital Blast and HRW Findings
In the midst of ongoing hostilities, a deadly blast occurred near Al Ahli Hospital, drawing intense scrutiny and debate. Initial reports suggested a rocket-propelled munition as the likely cause, a type commonly associated with various armed groups in the region. A prominent international organization expressed the need for a thorough investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident and to determine whether any violations of the laws of war occurred.
Calls for additional evidence and analysis followed, as experts noted that misfires and misdirected fire are not unusual in such environments. The question remained: who fired the projectile and what was its exact nature? A detailed report highlighted that conclusions could only be drawn after careful review of photographs, videos, satellite imagery, and testimonies from witnesses and technical experts.
The incident quickly became a focal point of controversy, with mutual accusations about responsibility for the fatal strike. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported a death toll of 471, while the Israeli military insisted the blast stemmed from a failed projectile launched by militant groups. Each side urged independent verification to clarify the sequence of events and the responsible actors.
Human Rights Watch stated that it could not determine definitively what type of munition caused the impact. It noted that the blast occurred in an asphalt area near a parking lot and a courtyard where civilians had sought shelter. The organization emphasized that its assessment could not confirm the exact weapon involved, pending further corroboration from available evidence.
HRW also noted that it could not confirm the Gaza authorities’ death toll, given the enclave’s governance by Hamas. It observed that the figure, if accurate, appeared disproportionately high relative to the visible damage in the area and urged verification from independent sources to avoid misrepresentation of the casualties.
The organization urged the recording and analysis of all victims and affected families, asserting that a comprehensive inquiry was essential to determine what happened and who bore responsibility. It highlighted that its investigation could not rely on unverified images or fragments, underscoring the need for a careful, methodical approach when examining the scene.
HRW pointed out that there were no known images of the munition debris that would allow a definitive identification. Nevertheless, certain indicators, such as the sound preceding the explosion, the fireball, the crater size, and the pattern of fragmentation visible around the site, were described as consistent with a rocket impact. The organization stressed that these observations were part of a broader evidentiary context and not a standalone conclusion.
The report argued that the likelihood of a major airstrike of the kind often associated with certain campaigns in Gaza was low based on the available evidence. It called on all parties to disclose the remaining materials related to the incident so that a transparent, accountable assessment could proceed.
Additional emphasis was placed on the need for openness by the authorities in both Gaza and Israel. HRW urged public disclosure of all information regarding the incident to facilitate independent verification and to uphold international humanitarian principles. The organization reiterated that international humanitarian law protects hospitals, wounded individuals, and medical personnel in all circumstances and demands their safe and respectful treatment during armed conflict.