The deadly blast that rocked al-Ahli Hospital in the Gaza Strip last month was likely caused by a failed rocket launch, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

“The explosion, which killed and injured many civilians at al-Ahli Arab Hospital on October 17, 2023 in Gaza, was the result of a self-propelled munition, such as those commonly used by Palestinian armed organizations,” which hit the hospital premises, the human rights organization said late yesterday, Sunday evening.

The statement said further investigations are needed to determine who fired the rocket and whether the laws of war were violated.

“The victims and families of those killed or injured while seeking safety at the hospital deserve a full investigation to determine what happened and who is responsible.” reported Ida Sawyer of Human Rights Watch.

A week after the explosion, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had stated that British intelligence and weapons experts said it was likely caused by a Palestinian rocket.

Immediately after the explosion, the Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas had accused Israel of bombing the hospital.

Israel had claimed that the hospital was hit by a failed rocket launch by the Islamist Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad. The Israeli armed forces have released aerial photographs, audio recordings and videos to support their claim.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza, hundreds of people were killed or injured in the explosion. HRW says it is unable to confirm these numbers.