Israel continues to issue evacuation warnings in northern Gaza, hundreds killed in hospital blast

President Biden held a brief public meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after arriving in the country in a historic wartime show of support for America's longtime ally.

During their conversation, Biden addressed the deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital that the Israel Defense Forces attributed to a misfired rocket from Palestinian Islamic Jihad after Hamas blamed the strike on Israel.

"I was outraged by the bombing of the hospital yesterday. Based on what I’ve seen, it was done by the other team. Not you," Biden said to Netanyahu. "But there’s a lot of people out there who are not sure."

Biden's comments on the hospital attack, which left more than 500 people dead, mark the first time the U.S. has assigned blame.

The two left the conference without answering any questions. Biden is set to meet privately with Israeli leaders during his short trip to the Jewish state.

Fox News Digital's Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.

Weapons sent to Israel in support of its counteroffensive against Hamas terrorists were sent without any preconditions, the Pentagon said during a briefing Tuesday.

When asked if there is any concern the U.S. could be involved in possible war crimes committed against civilians because of the weapons sent to the region, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said democracies are expected to uphold the law of war.

 "From the beginning, what we have said is that governments like us, or democracies, is what separates ourselves from Hamas. We certainly expect Israel, as with any ally or partner, to uphold the law of war," Singh said.

The weapons and military equipment received by Israel were not disclosed.

She noted the contrast between the weapons sent to Israel and Ukraine, whose weapons did come with conditions in defense of its war against Russia.

Ukrainian officials are required to tell the U.S. government where they have been used, while also being required to keep a list of how they were used and on what targets.

"I would say that both Ukraine and Israel are engaged in two very different wars right now," Singh said in response to an inquiry of whether the U.S. trusts Israel more than Ukraine. "I would say that the way that the Ukrainians are employing the [dual-purpose improved conventional munitions] on the battlefield is responsible. They are keeping track of where they are going."

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

President Biden issued a statement Tuesday night hours after an explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza that left over 500 people dead, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Biden, who is scheduled to visit the region on Wednesday, said the following:

"I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened."

He concluded: "The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy."

Israeli officials attributed the deadly explosion to a failed rocket launch by Palestinian terrorist group Islamic Jihad and quickly denounced accusations that they targeted a hospital, which was suggested by terrorist group Hamas.

"From the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed through the vicinity of the hospital when it was hit," an IDF spokesperson said. "According to intelligence information, from several sources we have, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital."

Five days after the Israel Defense Forces issued an urgent evacuation warning to millions of civilians in northern Gaza ahead of a possible ground incursion, Israel-based Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reiterated the message Wednesday morning.

Col. Elad Goren, head of the civil department at COGAT, said in a video on X, formerly Twitter, that the evacuation measure is to protect the innocent, whom he encouraged to move to the south of the Wadi Gaza in the open areas of western Khan Younis.

"Hamas is trying to prevent the population from evacuating northern Gaza. Hamas continues to bring destruction upon Gaza and to endanger its residents," Goren said. "We repeat our recommendation: anyone located in the northern part of Gaza Strip should move to the south."

COGAT said international humanitarian aid will be provided in Al-Mawasi as needed.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott applauded the cancellation of a pro-Palestinian conference at a Hilton hotel in Houston at the end of the month after the major chain cited "potential risks" as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.

The Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria will no longer host the Seize the Moment national conference for the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR) from Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 – to Gov. Abbott's support.

The USCPR said the event was its first in five years to show "solidarity with the Palestinian people resisting 75+ years of ethnic cleansing" and to "mobilize for liberation."

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, journalist and academic Marc Lamont Hill and senior staff attorney Daila Shamas were scheduled to be keynote speakers.

Abbott wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Hilton was right to cancel the event given the escalating conflict in the Middle East following Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel, which prompted retaliatory strikes from the Jewish state.

"Hilton Hotels in Houston was correct to pull the plug on the U.S. Campaign for Palestine Rights event hosted by Hamas supporters," Abbott wrote. "Texas has no room for hate & antisemitism like that supported by Hamas. No location in Texas should host or sponsor USCPR."

Hilton did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the cancellation, but told Houston outlets the following:

"Given escalating security concerns in the current environment, the hotel has determined that it cannot serve as the venue for this event because of the potential risks to our Team Members and guests," the hotel said in a statement to the local outlet. "Our priority is and will remain the safety and security of everyone we welcome at our hotel."

Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut is giving State Department employees the option to leave the country amid heightened tensions following riots early Wednesday and warned U.S. citizens about the potential dangers of visiting. 

The State Department said embassy will go on an “authorized departure,” meaning State Department employees and family members can leave the country if they wish.

The move is different from an “ordered departure,” which requires certain staff and family to leave. In addition, the State Department has raised its travel advisory to Lebanon to a Level 4, its highest, meaning “Do Not Travel.” 

“Do Not travel to Lebanon due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah or other armed militant factions,” the advisory states. “Reconsider travel to Lebanon due to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnapping, and Embassy Beirut’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens.” 

“Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon.  Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities,” the State Department added. “The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the protection of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence.  Family, neighborhood, or sectarian disputes can escalate quickly and can lead to gunfire or other violence with no warning.  Armed clashes have occurred along the borders, in Beirut, and in refugee settlements.”

The embassy came under protest early Wednesday by pro-Palestinian and Hezbollah supporters after the terrorist group called for demonstrations at Israeli embassies.

Israel doesn’t have an embassy in Lebanon. Protesters instead went to the U.S. and French embassies where both were attacked with rocks and Molotov bombs, which ignited  a fire near to the US embassy. 

Much of the anger came hours after a hospital in Gaza was struck by a rocket, killing hundreds, Hamas said.

Hamas said the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was targeted by Israel airstrikes. Israel determined the rocket was a misfire launch by the Islamic Jihad in Gaza. 

Protesters in Lebanon descended on the U.S. and French embassies in Beirut voicing anger over a rocket that hit a hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, reportedly killing hundreds of people.

Around 1,000 protesters gathered and carried Palestinian flags, Reuters reported. Tear gas was fired near the building. 

The demonstration was mainly driven by a statement from Hezbollah, a political party and Iran-backed terrorist group based in Lebanon, which told people around the Arab world to protest in front of Israeli embassies, a source told Fox News Digital.

Since Israel doesn’t maintain an embassy in Lebanon, protesters gathered in front of the U.S. and French embassies, as they believe the Biden administration and French President Emmanuel Macron are in part responsible for the airstrikes in Gaza by providing Israel with military aid.

Pro-Palestinian supporters mixed with supporters of Hezbollah in marches and both embassies were attacked by rioters, the source said.

No injuries have yet been reported.

The protest came hours after the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza was hit by a rocket, prompting both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict to blame each other. The Hamas health Ministry said at least 500 people died, resulting in anger in the region. 

Hamas claims the Israeli military targeted the hospital, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) determined the Islamic Jihad terrorist group is responsible.

“An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to theAl-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit,” an IDF statement said. “Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.“ 

The Islamic Jihad is a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas.

The Israel Foreign Ministry said the Palestinians were "falsely claiming Israel targeted a hospital in the Gaza Strip."

"The thing is, they’re the ones who have a habit of launching missiles at hospitals packed with innocent civilians," the ministry posted on social media.

Jordan has canceled a meeting slated for Wednesday with President Biden and other regional leaders in protest over an airstrike that hit a hospital in Gaza and reportedly killed hundreds of people. 

Earlier Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas canceled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egypt’s president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas. 

Later, Jordan’s foreign minister told state-run television that his country had canceled the summit, saying that the war between Israel and Hamas was “pushing the region to the brink.” He said the meeting would be postponed. 

Hamas has blamed Israeli military for the Tuesday airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. The Hamas Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it investigated the incident and determined it to be a failed rocket launch by the Islamic Jihad, a smaller, more radical Palestinian militant group that often cooperates with Hamas.

 Like Hamas, Islamic Jihad is funded and supported by Iran.

The rocket was fired from Gaza and was in close proximity to the hospital at the time it was hit, the IDF said. Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday to speak with Israeli leaders in a show of support.

He was slated to meet with Middle Eastern leaders on the same day as the war continues to escalate daily.  

Biden departed Washington Tuesday afternoon.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, accused Israel of targeting a Christian hospital in Gaza that Hamas said killed at least 500 people on Tuesday minutes before the Israel Defense Forces said the airstrike was the result a Palestinian terror group. 

"Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that," Tlaib tweeted. "Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that.” 

"We will remember where you stood," she added.

Not long after, the IDF said the hospital was not targeted or hit by an Israeli missile.

"From the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed through the vicinity of the hospital when it was hit," an IDF spokesperson said.

"According to intelligence information, from several sources we have, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital," the spokesperson continued.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the hospital bombing.

"The barbarian terrorists in Gaza are the ones who attacked the hospital in Gaza, not the IDF. He who brutally murdered our children, also murders his children," Netanyahu wrote in a post on X.    

An airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that Hamas says killed at least 500 people came from the Islamic Jihad terrorist group during a failed launch, Israel said. 

“An analysis of IDF operational systems indicates that a barrage of rockets was fired by terrorists in Gaza, passing in close proximity to the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza at the time it was hit,” the Israel Defense Forces said. “Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch which hit the hospital in Gaza.“

Earlier, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed at the hospital. The deaths were the result of an Israeli airstrike, it said.  

However, Israel said it was investigating the source of the explosion and said a hospital is not a target for its military forces.

"A hospital is a highly sensitive building and is not an IDF target,” the IDF said earlier.

An additional review and cross-examination of the operational and intelligence systems by the IDF concluded that Israel's military didn't fire the rocket, the IDF said.

The Islamic Jihad was responsible for the failed rocket launch, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said Tuesday.  

The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a clip on X, formally known as Twitter, of Qatar-based Al Jazeera purportedly showing the Islamic Jihad launch a rocket that misfired and hit the hospital.

"The Palestinians are falsely claiming Israel targeted a hospital in the Gaza Strip," the ministry said. "The thing is, they’re the ones who have a habit of launching missiles at hospitals packed with innocent civilians."

Israeli Prime Minister pushed back on accusations by Hamas and Palestinian supporters that the IDF targeted the hospital full of wounded people and others seeking shelter.

"The whole world knew: The barbarian terrorists in Gaza are the ones who attacked the hospital in Gaza, not the IDF," he wrote on X, formally Twitter. "He who brutally murdered our children, also murders his children."

Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said the terrorists in Gaza “are not only responsible for murdering Israeli children - they also murder Palestinian children!” 

“You’ve seen Hamas and PIJ beheading children. Stop believing these ISIS-like terrorists,” he wrote on social media. “The only ones shooting indiscriminate missiles at civilians are the Palestinians, who have been doing it for years!” 

An image that accompanied the post said terror groups in Gaza purposefully place launching pits and posts within civilian areas and in the line of fire, which makes them vulnerable to misfires. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has canceled his participation in a meeting scheduled for Wednesday with President Biden and other Mideast leaders, a senior Palestinian official said.  

Abbas was scheduled to join Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi at Wednesday’s summit in Amman, Jordan, where they are to discuss the latest Israel-Hamas war with Biden. 

The senior officials said Abbas was withdrawing his presence to protest an alleged Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that Hamas health officials say killed over 500 people on Tuesday.  

Israel said it is investigating the source of the explosion.

Biden is scheduled to visit Israel Wednesday in a show of support as Israeli forces continue to bombard the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Biden will visit Jordan after the meeting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Israelis in Turkey have been warned to depart the country immediately after Israel’s National Security Council raised the travel warning to the country to its highest level.

The body also raised the travel alert for Morocco to level two, meaning Israelis in that country should stay vigilant, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The warnings come after two Israeli tourists were killed in Egypt last week when a policeman opened fire on them in Alexandria. 

A Hamas-run hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter in the Gaza Strip was hit by an airstrike Tuesday that killed hundreds of people, the terror group said. 

The Health Ministry said at least 500 people were killed at the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. Hamas said the deaths were the result of an Israeli airstrike.

However, Israel said it was investigating the source of the explosion. 

"A hospital is a highly sensitive building and is not an IDF target,” the Israeli Defense Forces said. “The IDF is investigating the source of the explosion and, like always, is prioritizing accuracy and reliability. We urge everyone to proceed  with caution when reporting on the unverified claims of a terrorist organization."   

Other reports said a rocket misfired, causing the explosion.

Hamas was targeting Tel Aviv with rocket fire Tuesday. The group has been targeting central Israel multiple times each day

President Biden has provide Iran with $50 billion in funds due to months-long sanctions relief that has only emboldened Tehran, according to an op-ed by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, and Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former National Security Council official. 

Congress should now demand all of the funds, in addition to the $6 billion hostage ransom payment made to Iran last month. 

Read more here.

French President Emmanuel Macron is requesting a review of all foreign immigrants with ties to radical extremists for possible deportation after the murder of a French teacher by an Islamic terrorist.  

France raised its anti-terrorism alert level to one of its highest levels three days after a teacher was killed by a Chechen immigrant on France's extremist watchlist with a knife shouting "Allahu Akbar!," according to a report in Euronews.  

Macron ordered his administration to conduct a review to determine whether foreigners with a record of radicalism can be expelled from the country, according to reports. Local authorities have 48 hours to examine the files of "radicalized people drawn up by the secret services.” 

Last week, Macron said police thwarted a second attempted attack after the stabbing of the teacher, saying it shows "the barbarism of Islamic terrorism."

Fox News' Brianna Herlihy contributed to this report.

Israeli forces struck infrastructure targets across the border in Lebanon on Tuesday as Hezbollah terrorists continue to threaten to join the war on the side of Hamas.

Hezbollah has fired rockets and anti-tank missiles at Israeli targets throughout the week, and Israel responded in kind on Tuesday. Four people in Lebanon were reportedly killed in the Israeli counterattack.

The exchange of fire comes as both Iran and Hezbollah threaten to join Hamas in the war against Israel. The U.S. and Israel's other Western allies have warned both parties to stay out of the conflict.

The U.S. has deployed two air craft carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean, sending a message that the U.S. could become fully involved in the conflict should it escalate.

Israel's top national security adviser predicted that the U.S. would get involved in Israel's war on Hamas if the conflict escalated to include other regional powers like Hezbollah or Iran.

The official, Tzachi Hanegbi, cited the U.S. movement of two air craft carrier strike groups into the Eastern Mediterranean as a key indicator. Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized that there are no U.S. boots on the ground and no plans to deploy them.

"[Biden] is making clear to our enemies that if they even imagine taking part in the offensive against the citizens of Israel, there will be American involvement here," Hanegbi said.

President Biden has nevertheless warned Hezbollah and Iran to stay out of the conflict, but he has not made specific threats of what the U.S. will do if they do join the war.

Austin placed approximately 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness through a prepare to deploy order on Tuesday. The move increases the DOD's ability to respond quickly to fast-moving events in and around Israel.

There is "no question" that the Israeli hostage seen in a recently-released Hamas video was speaking "under duress," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says.

Kirby made the remark on NBC’s "Today" show after the Palestinian terrorist group shared footage Monday of Mia Schem, a 21-year-old French-Israeli, who, according to Reuters, asked to be returned to her family as soon as possible. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Schem’s immediate release.

"There is no question in my mind that that woman gave that video testimony under duress, probably forced to do it," Kirby said. "It’s a propaganda video much more than it is proof of life or certainly proof of concept for Hamas. It’s despicable, deplorable that they would take these hostages and then advertise how well they are treating them when they are the ones who hurt them in the first place."

Kirby reiterated a call for Hamas to immediately release all of its hostages, estimated to include 199 Israelis and other foreign nationals.

Fox News Greg Norman contributed to this report.