Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed after an attack on a hospital in Gaza, filled with the wounded and thousands of people sheltering there from the attacks.
Gaza's health ministry, which is run by Hamas, said at least 500 people were killed on Tuesday night in what it claimed was an Israeli airstrike. The Israeli military reportedly said an initial investigation suggested the blast was caused by a failed Hamas rocket, before saying it was the result of a rocket barrage by Islamic Jihad (the Palestinian Islamic paramilitary organization).
Islamic Jihad described the Israeli accusations as "false and baseless" and claimed it does not use public facilities such as hospitals for military purposes.
Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq released statements condemning Israel and accusing its military of bombing the hospital. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters gathered in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt and Tunisia.
In Istanbul, Turkish security forces used water and tear gas to disperse protesters who managed to force their way into a compound housing the Israeli consulate. There were other harsh reactions around the world.
Although the Israel Defense Forces have said they do not attack hospitals, the UN and Doctors Without Borders say Israeli airstrikes have hit medical facilities, including hospitals and ambulances.
Hospitals, according to the principles of international humanitarian law, are sacred places and attacks on them are considered war crimes.
