Protesters clash with police over Gaza hospital tragedy

Source: Sky News

Protests have ignited around the Middle East following an explosion at a hospital in Gaza which killed at least 500 people.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in cities in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and in the West Bank, where a police car was targeted.

The blast on the al Ahli hospital took place on the eve of a visit by President Joe Biden to Israel, in an attempt by the US to keep the conflict from spreading.

Israel-Gaza latest: Israel blames 'enemy rocket barrage' for deadly hospital strike

But the reaction from the Arab world, amid Israel pointing the blame at the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and Palestinian officials blaming Israel, complicates efforts to contain the crisis which began 11 days ago.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, protesters could be seen throwing rocks at a police vehicle, which seemed to charge at them.

Explosions were also heard in the area.

#BREAKING| More protesters flock to #Israel's embassy in #Amman in protest against the war crimes in #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/23KnlDrt3e

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 17, 2023

A 'We Ramallah' sign was vandalised by protesters in the city centre, with footage showing one man smashing the letters one-by-one with what seemed to be a metal pole.

Protests also took part in the West Bank city of Tubas.

Meanwhile in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, security forces were positioned in front of the US embassy. Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse protesters.

Similar situations erupted in Istanbul and Amman after protests were staged at Israeli embassies.

Individuals were seen gathering around fires, burning makeshift Israeli flags and setting off fireworks.

The former Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal, called for supporters to immediately stage protests in front of embassies across the world following the hospital strike.