In a tragic incident on Tuesday night, a devastating blast rocked the Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist Hospital in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the loss of at least 471 Palestinian lives, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry. Shockingly, seventy percent of the victims were children, women, and the elderly, highlighting the severe impact on the most vulnerable populations.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense, described the scene as catastrophic. \"The destruction is so intense; there are hundreds of dead under the rubble as we speak,\" he reported. Basal, who oversees emergency services, emphasized the immediate need for humanitarian assistance in the wake of the disaster.
Visuals captured by a CGTN stringer reveal the extensive ruins surrounding the hospital. Basal noted, \"There are dead bodies scattered around here, it was catastrophic,\" painting a grim picture of the aftermath and the urgent challenges faced by rescue teams in the region.
The international community watches with concern as Gaza grapples with the consequences of the blast, calling for swift action to support the affected families and restore essential services in the beleaguered region.
Reference(s):
Close-ups in Gaza Ep.8: A look at the aftermath of the hospital blast
cgtn.com
