Fetterman calls rush to blame Israel for hospital blast ‘disturbing’

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Penn.) called some of his colleagues’ quickness to blame Israel for the hospital blast in Gaza “disturbing” in a statement Wednesday.

“It’s truly disturbing that Members of Congress rushed to blame Israel for the hospital tragedy in Gaza,” Fetterman said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. 

“Who would take the word of a group that just massacred innocent Israeli civilians over our key ally?” he added.

In a follow-up post, Fetterman pledged to “always stand with Israel” and said he “look[s] forward to supporting any military, intelligence, or humanitarian aid to get the job done.”

The Democratic senator’s pointed comments come after U.S. intelligence on Wednesday independently determined that a deadly blast at a hospital in Gaza was the result of a failed rocket launch by Palestinian militants, not by an Israeli airstrike. 

Biden said on Wednesday that he has received independent assessments from the Defense Department showing Israel did not appear to be at fault. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D-Va.) said on Wednesday that his committee also “reviewed intelligence” and that they reached the same conclusion. 

“The Senate Intelligence Committee reviewed intelligence related to the attack on al-Ahli hospital in Gaza. Based on this information, we feel confident that the explosion was the result of a failed rocket launch by militant terrorists and not the result of an Israeli airstrike,” Warner wrote in a post on X.

Initial reports, however, largely blamed Israel for the explosion, citing Palestinian officials, despite Israel’s denial of any involvement. The reports prompted a wave of protests worldwide and outrage from the public and some public officials.

Some members of Congress reposted reports that blamed Israel for the attack, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who also sharply criticized President Biden for not encouraging a ceasefire. 

“Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that,” Tlaib said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “[Biden,] this is what happens when you refuse to facilitate a ceasefire & help de-escalate.”  

“500 doctors, patients, and civilians killed after a hospital in Gaza was bombed,” Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) said in a post on X, reposting a report from Human Rights Watch that also suggested Israel was at fault. “We must not look away from this violence. We must prevent further loss of life. I am urging my colleagues to join me in the call for a #CeasefireNow.”

Fetterman in a separate statement slammed those calling for a ceasefire, saying that talks of one need to wait until Hamas is less of a threat.

“Now is not the time to talk about a ceasefire,” he said. “We must support Israel in their efforts to eliminate the Hamas terrorists who slaughtered innocent men, women, and children. Hamas does not want peace, they want to destroy Israel. We can talk about a ceasefire after Hamas is neutralized.”