Rocket event in Gaza Strip, Gaza City area, Palestine on Tue 17th October 2023

On 17 October 2023, around 19:00, an unidentified object caused a blast at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza - Az Zaytun (Gaza City, Gaza Strip), killing at least between 100-471 people according to multiple sources, including the US Intelligence agency (100-300) and Gaza Ministry of Health (471). The Director of the hospital noted that he believed the number was closer to 250. The Gaza Ministry of Health also noted that 314 people were injured. The blast also caused material damages to the church of Saint Porphyrius. Early reports suggested that the blast was due to an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli Defense Forces denied attacking the hospital and claimed that the blast resulted from a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad organization. Islamic Jihad has also denied responsibility for the blast. Actor 1 coded as Unidentified Armed Group until evidence is reviewed. Fatalities coded as 250, based on reports from the hospital, as this is a middle-ground number.