On a somber Tuesday, a devastating explosion ravaged the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, causing extensive casualties. The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry reported a death toll in the hundreds. The tragic incident has further inflamed the already tense situation in the region.

As a Medical Operations Officer who served in the Army for over 16 years, I can think of few incidents as heinous as the bombing of a healthcare facility. These are supposed to be areas where men, women, and children can heal and be offered a respite from the horrors of war. The intentional infliction of additional harm on these, the most vulnerable of the population, is unthinkable. To be 100% clear, at this point, we are not certain what happened here. The fog of war lies heavy on this event.

The cause of the explosion is shrouded in a blame game. Hamas attributes it to an Israeli airstrike, whereas the Israeli military points fingers at a misfire by Palestinian militants. The Health Ministry has put the death toll at 500. There is another grim possibility. It is possible that Hamas intentionally fired on the medical treatment facility in a macabre false flag operation. Why would they do that? To point the finger at the enemy and solidify hatred for them. Before the hate mail starts pouring in, I am not saying that is definitely what happened. It is possible that this was unintentional. But one must look at all of the possible causes of this tragedy, and a false flag attack is among them.

This Video Shows the Moment of Impact

The horrendous event has sent shockwaves across the region, leading to the cancellation of a planned regional summit in Amman, Jordan, where US President Joe Biden was slated to meet with key leaders. The Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, conveyed a deep concern about the escalating violence, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to halt the conflict and provide much-needed aid to the Palestinians.

The crisis has shifted President Biden’s itinerary, now limiting his visit to Israel. The situation at the al-Ahli Hospital post-blast was ghastly, with scenes of fire and devastation forever etched in the memories of those who witnessed it. The Associated Press has confirmed the authenticity of the distressing videos emanating from the incident.

In a bid to alleviate the humanitarian crisis, the US has been urging Israel to allow aid deliveries to the beleaguered Gaza Strip, where the situation is dire. Residents are grappling with a severe shortage of essential supplies amidst the ongoing conflict. The escalation has made the delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilians, hospitals, and aid groups in Gaza a matter of utmost urgency.

The Israeli military and Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group/terrorist organization, are in a dispute over the real perpetrator of the incident. While the Israeli military insists on evidence pointing towards Islamic Jihad’s involvement, the latter vehemently denies the accusations, laying the blame squarely on Israel.

In the midst of this turmoil, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening. The director of Gaza City’s main hospital, al-Shifa, Mohammed Abu Selmia, highlighted the desperate need for medical supplies as casualties from the al-Ahli blast were being brought in.

The ongoing conflict has already claimed numerous lives on both sides, with the current hospital tragedy adding to the grim tally. International efforts are ramping up to broker a ceasefire and address the humanitarian crisis, but a resolution seems elusive as the violence continues unabated.

Across the border, the Israeli military is on high alert, with a potential ground invasion being speculated. The situation remains fluid, with civilians caught in the crossfire of this protracted conflict.

With the Rafah crossing being Gaza’s sole link to Egypt, aid convoys are on standby, awaiting clearance to deliver much-needed supplies. The World Food Program has readied over 300 tons of food, underlining the dire need for a peaceful resolution to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid to the beleaguered populace of Gaza.

At this point, the civilian population of Palestine is suffering the wrath of Hamas almost as much as the citizens of Israel.