Gaza Hospital blast: Lebanon sounds Israel warning

In the wake of a deadly hospital bombing in Gaza on Tuesday night, October 17, that claimed the lives of at least 500 people, tensions have surged across the Middle East against Israel.

Hezbollah’s call for a ‘day of rage’ in response to the tragic incident led to protests erupting in numerous Muslim-majority nations, raising concerns of a potentially uncontrollable escalation.

Israel’s military stated it was retaliating to shots fired at military posts along the Lebanese border and reported attacks on posts in the Zar’it area.

Sirens blared in northern Israel near the Lebanon border, including the city of Kiryat Shmona, signaling the possibility of incoming rocket attacks, according to the Israeli military.

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, warned of dire consequences during a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He stated that the continued aggression against Gaza could ignite a “fire that could consume the whole region,” emphasizing the need to avoid actions that might lead to an uncontainable escalation.

Protests against the hospital bombing in Gaza reverberated across the Muslim world, with thousands of people taking to the streets in countries including Jordan, Libya, Yemen, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, Iran, and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, had called for a ‘day of rage’ across the region, further fueling the demonstrations.

In the midst of the protests, demonstrators held up a doll with red paint on its face, alongside a sign reading ‘Crime against humanity,’ and prominently displayed Palestinian flags.

Some of the most significant rallies occurred at the embassies of the United States and France, where protesters engaged with security forces during overnight demonstrations.

Outside the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan, additional security personnel were deployed to maintain peace as demonstrators voiced their grievances.

In Rabat, Morocco, protesters were photographed carrying placards bearing messages such as ‘You just need to be humane to support Gaza,’ all while waving the Palestinian flag in solidarity.

Reports from Egypt indicated that thousands of people also took to the streets today, underscoring the widespread international outcry following the tragic hospital strike in Gaza.