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Hundreds of people have been killed by an explosion at a crowded hospital in Gaza City, health officials say.

Palestinian officials say the blast was caused by an Israeli air strike.

But the Israeli military say it was the result of a failed rocket launch by Palestinian Islamic Jihad - an accusation the militant group rejects.

The hospital was crowded with sick and wounded, as well as hundreds of displaced people who had taken refuge from Israel's bombardment of Gaza.

Jeremy Hopkins is Unicef's representative in Egypt. He told Newsday: 鈥淲ords cannot describe the anguish we feel and our hearts go out to the victims of the conflict.鈥�

"We call on鈥� an immediate cessation of hostilities by all parties and鈥� an urgent opening of the borders to bring in humanitarian supplies that are much needed for life saving and saving children right now.鈥�

(Picture: Shows a view of the surroundings of Al Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital after it was hit in Gaza City, Gaza on October 18, 2023. Credit: Getty Images)

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