Some countries are declaring mourning periods following Tuesday’s blast at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza where the Palestinian health ministry said hundreds were killed.
Syria on Wednesday declared a public mourning for a period of three days, starting October 18.
Egypt declared on Wednesday a three-day state of general mourning.
Iran on Tuesday declared general mourning throughout the country for three days, “in honor of the innocent souls who fell victim to international silence before falling victim to the fire of barbaric aggression.”
Jordan declared on Tuesday three days of mourning to “honor the martyrs of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital and the martyrs of Gaza.”
Lebanon announced on Tuesday that Wednesday is a day of national mourning.
Mauritania declared on Tuesday three days of national mourning following the hospital blast and called on the international community to make sure to stop “immediately” what it described as “genocide” of the Palestinians.
In Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday also declared that three days of mourning will be observed for the victims of the blast.
Gaza officials blame Israel for the hospital blast, while the Israel Defense Forces said it was an Islamic Jihad rocket. Islamic Jihad also denied that a failed rocket launch was responsible for the explosion. CNN cannot independently verify what caused the explosion, nor the extent of casualties.
