A couple of locals living in Gaza recall what they witnessed on the night of the blast at the Al-Ahli hospital that killed 471 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, a figure disputed by Israel.

Footage filmed on October 18 shows the scene of a crater surrounded by burnt out cars. This is reportedly the location of the impact.

Local authorities say an Israeli air strike was to blame - but Israel insists the blast was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza.

Barka Abo Shahin. a woman who lives nearby, said; "Two years ago my family was totally murdered by the Israeli military.

"Yesterday at the hospital around 200 to 300 people were killed. What happened yesterday was a horror. It was a crime against the Palestinians.

"We are dreaming only for good things to happen and justice will take its place. The situation is immeasurable. They (Israel) do the same crimes as they did two years ago."

Another local named Said Mouslim gave his account of what happened on October 17.

"Yesterday night I came here after praying in a mosque and when I came to the hospital nearby on my way home I saw horrible scenes," he said.

"You can't imagine what I saw. I even don't wish anyone to be a witness to these happenings.

"All the people, including women and children were in the parks. Many of them left houses and didn't know where to go. Our nation is scared.

"The Israeli army bombed the hospital and we all know that it's forbidden to bomb the hospitals by the international war rules.

"The scene were despicable, the heads, the arm, the feet were totally cut and lying on the ground.

"All around was blood. That was a crime."

This footage was filmed and produced 18 October 2023.

An Israeli strike has killed more than 500 Palestinians at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

The Israeli military says the bombing – one of the deadliest attacks on a hospital in decades – was the result of a misfired Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket.

The mass killing at the hospital has spurred widespread international condemnation and protests at Israeli embassies in several countries.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 471 people were killed and 314 others were injured, including 28 who remain in critical condition.

Shortly after the blast, the Gaza Health Ministry released a statement blaming Israeli forces for the incident, saying a "bombing" killed hundreds of civilians forced to flee from the north of the Gaza Strip and left scores of others injured. Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim political party and militant group based in Lebanon, also held Israeli forces responsible for the blast, saying it "exposes the American and Western support for this criminal occupation."

Translation Script:

Barka Abo Shahin — Resident:
Two years ago my family was totally murdered by Israeli military.
Yesterday at the hospital were around 200-300 people which were fired and dead. What happened yesterday was a horror. It was a crime to Palestinians nation.
We are dreaming only for a good things happen and justice will takes its place.
The situation is measruble. The Juesh are just like a monsters.
They do the same crimes as they did it 2 years ago.
---
Said Mouslim — Resident:
Yesterday night I came here after praying in a mosque. and when I came to the hospital nearby on my way home I saw horrible scenes. You cant imagine what I saw. I even dont wish this to anyone to be a witness of these what were happening here.

All the people, including women children were in the parks. Many of them left houses and didnt know where to go. Our nation scared.
The Israeli army bombed the hospital and we all know that its forbiden to bomb the hospitals by the international war rules.
The scene were discraptible, the heads, the arm, the feets were totally cut and laying on the ground. All around was in a blood. That was a crime.