In spite of evidence pointing to the blast coming from a misfired rocket from Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Iranian regime has called Israel responsible for an attack on the Gaza Baptist hospital on Tuesday night.
The Israel Defence Forces have shared a barrage of intelligence to deny culpability but the regime vowed the incident "will definitely not go unanswered" in another opportunity to fuel the flames of unrest.
A statement on the state news agency said, "Islamic countries and freedom-seeking governments, in addition to severing ties with Israel, should expel its ambassadors and representatives from their countries and international organizations".
Iran also declared that it is necessary for all Muslim nations and Islamic governments to stand against “the illegitimate regime of Israel” and, using all necessary means, put an end to “the endless injustice and the massacre of innocent Muslims.”
An explosion occurred at the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, a Christian-run medical facility in central Gaza City on Tuesday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 200 to 300 people, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry. However, other Palestinian sources cite numbers as high as 1,000.
The ministry's spokesperson, Ashraf Al Qudra, estimated that around 200 others were injured. There have been conflicting claims about responsibility, with officials in Gaza and Israel blaming each other for the tragedy.
Al Qudra alleged that the Israel Defense Forces had targeted the hospital for bombing, and Hamas also blamed Israel, while no evidence of a damaged hospital and hundreds of dead or injured has yet been seen. The damage largely remains contained to a car park and shattered windows.