Rep. Rashida Tlaib Calls for Independent Investigation into Gaza Hospital Blast, Refuses to Accept US-Israel Findings
Published Oct. 24, 2023, 12:44 a.m. ET
Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, has called for an “independent investigation” into the recent bombing of a Gaza Strip hospital. Despite findings from the US and Israeli governments that attribute the attack to Islamic Jihad terrorists, Tlaib insists on questioning the evidence and supports the United Nations’ call for an impartial inquiry.
In a statement, Tlaib expressed her doubts about the claims and evidence presented by both Israel and the Gaza Ministry of Health. She referenced media outlets and third-party analysts who have raised similar concerns. Tlaib also cited the World Health Organization’s confirmation of Israel’s previous bombings of medical facilities in Gaza and reports from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society detailing ongoing threats from the Israeli military. These factors, in her view, necessitate an independent investigation.
Hamas claimed responsibility for the hospital bombing, alleging that an Israeli airstrike killed approximately 500 people at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza City. This sparked riots in the Middle East and led President Biden to cancel a planned summit with Arab leaders in Jordan.
Contrary to Hamas’ claims, both the Israeli government and the White House concluded that the explosion resulted from a misfired rocket launched by Islamic Jihad from the Palestinian side of the border. Islamic Jihad, a smaller extremist Palestinian group, often collaborates with Hamas.
Tlaib argued that both the Israeli and US governments have histories of misleading the public regarding wars and war crimes, citing examples such as the Israeli military assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh and the false claims of weapons of mass destruction that led to the Iraq War. In her view, an independent international investigation is necessary to address these concerns properly. Nevertheless, Tlaib emphasized the pressing need for a ceasefire to protect innocent civilian lives.
The Israeli government has presented intercepted phone calls from Gaza and other evidence supporting its claim that its military was not responsible for the bombing. Israeli officials also dispute Hamas’ casualty figures, stating that several dozen people rather than 500 lost their lives in the blast. President Biden concurred with these assessments, highlighting conversations with respected Defense Department officials and members of the intelligence community who deemed Israel’s involvement highly improbable.
The New York Times, which initially attributed the bombing to Israel based on information from Hamas, backtracked on its reporting and acknowledged relying too heavily on the terrorist group’s account. The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and the Associated Press conducted investigations that also suggested the missile came from the Palestinian side, with video footage showing what appeared to be a misfired Palestinian rocket above the hospital.
Tlaib’s initial response to the bombing was harsh, tweeting accusations against Israel and Biden. She later reiterated the claims at a pro-Palestinian rally, expressing outrage at the bombing of a hospital with children present. Tlaib is a member of the far-left congressional group known as the “Squad.”
