Israel’s Al-Alhi Hospital Massacre Ignites the Arab and Islamic Movement

Al-Ahli Hospital, situated in the Gaza Strip, was bombarded on the evening of October 17, 2023. The shelling of the hospital resulted in the deaths of more than 800 people, including children and women. Dozens of demonstrations and activities took place in the streets of many Arab and Islamic states to condemn this incident.

Although the Israeli army is denying responsibility for the attack, blaming the armed Palestinian factions, the attack was accompanied by an Israeli crackdown on Gaza’s medical sector that included evacuation notices sent to six hospitals, including Al-Alhi Hospital, and the shelling of nearby medical facilities, such as the October 17 air attack on European Gaza Hospital that killed nine people, including seven children. The Israeli military also targeted a house behind al-Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah shortly before.

Meanwhile, Arab and Islamic public opinion is solidifying in support of the Palestinians in Gaza. Arabic and Islamic peoples have been in continuous motion since the early days of the war to denounce the Israeli aggression in Gaza. It can be said that the demonstrations condemning the bombardment of Al-Alhi Hospital expressed the anger and outrage of the Arab and Islamic public opinion.

Despite international condemnation for targeting hospitals, Israel continues to use its “bank of targets” that includes utilities and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. It appears that Israel is striving to gain full control over the Gaza Strip by exerting pressure on the remaining medical facilities within Gaza. This includes the banning of medical and food aid from entering Gaza and the disruption of water and electricity supplies. This pressure is leading to a dangerous deterioration in the livelihoods of Gaza Strip residents. These actions are clearly observed by Arab and Islamic observers who are calling for fair measures to be implemented for the people of Gaza.

The turning point is evident in the fact that the demonstrations that followed the shelling of Al-Alhi Hospital were rapid and spontaneous. They quickly assembled at U.S. and Israeli diplomatic facilities and also around some U.S. military bases, where demonstrators attempted to breach security and even clashed with law enforcement units in the host countries of these bases.

This signals a warning that the Arab and Islamic response may escalate if this war persists or if other events unfold. Such a response could be more intense and persistent. Diplomatic and military facilities are likely facing heightened security threats and risks. Therefore, the Arab and Islamic perspective cannot be overlooked in the broader picture and should be considered by all parties involved.