Gaza Hospital Blast

At least 500 people died yesterday after an explosion from an airstrike that struck a hospital in Gaza City, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas claimed it was an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said it was not involved in the incident, claiming the blast was from a misfired rocket from a militant group in Gaza known as Palestinian Islamic Jihad (see overview).

A Hamas official reportedly claimed yesterday the group would release the civilian hostages it took from Israel during a surprise attack Oct. 7, if Israel ceases airstrikes in Gaza. The official also claimed Hamas would release soldiers held hostage if Palestinians held in Israeli jails were released. At least 199 people are being held hostage by Hamas.

The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 3,000, with at least 12,500 people injured. At least 61 additional Palestinians have died, with at least 1,250 injured, from clashes in the West Bank. The death toll in Israel remains near 1,400, with close to 4,000 people injured.

The explosion came ahead of US President Joe Biden's visit to Tel Aviv today as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion and international calls for humanitarian assistance in Gaza continue.

See all updates on the war here.