In the wake of Tuesday’s tragic explosion at the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, a wave of disinformation has inundated social media platforms. This article aims to separate fact from fiction by addressing the most widely circulated claims and misleading videos, shedding light on the confusion surrounding the incident.

The Incident: What We Know

The explosion at the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City resulted in a significant loss of life, with the exact number of casualties still unverified and unclear. Responsibility for this tragic event remains uncertain, as neither side has officially claimed it. The Gazan Health Ministry suggests it was due to an Israeli airstrike, while Israel points the blame at a misfired rocket by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a powerful local militant group. As of Friday morning, the rocket’s origin remains unknown.

Debunking Fake Social Media Accounts

During this chaotic period, fake accounts impersonating journalists and government officials emerged on social media, further muddying the waters. One such account, “Farida Khan,” falsely claimed affiliation with Al-Jazeera, alleging that a misfired Hamas rocket caused the hospital explosion. Al-Jazeera promptly disavowed any connection to this account, revealing it to be a false representation.

Another problematic account posed as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and crudely claimed responsibility for the incident. Despite the offensive language used in the tweet, it was widely shared. However, a BBC journalist noted discrepancies in the profile photo used, which did not match the official IDF logo. The sole Arabic-speaking social media page operated by the Israeli army belongs to Avichay Adraee, who denied any involvement in the incident.

Misleading Videos and Claims

Online supporters of Israel shared video footage purporting to show evidence of a failed Gazan rocket hitting the hospital. However, this footage was dated to 2022 and did not relate to the recent explosion in Gaza.

The IDF released an intercepted conversation between two Hamas militants, alleging that the hospital was hit by a projectile fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Nevertheless, independent verification of this claim remains elusive, as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has denied any involvement and attributed blame to Israel for the explosion.

Amid the tragedy of the hospital explosion in Gaza, misinformation and confusion have run rampant on social media. This article strives to debunk false claims and clarify the uncertain aspects of this incident, emphasizing the importance of seeking credible sources and verified information during times of crisis.