US, Israeli embassies in Argentina get bomb threats after Gaza hospital strike

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Israeli and US embassies in Buenos Aires, Argentina were the targets of false bomb threats Wednesday amid tension unleashed in Israel and the Gaza Strip, according to authorities.

The threats were received via email.

"We put a bomb and we are going to kill all the Jews," the head of security at the Israeli facility said the message read.

The US diplomatic headquarters received an email detailing a possible attack with an explosive. The building, however, was not evacuated.

“There are no credible threats against the US Embassy in Argentina and we are continuing to operate normally. Additionally, Argentine police personnel have temporarily been stationed outside the Embassy because of recent world events,” according to a statement by the embassy.

Anti-bomb squads confirmed that there were no suspicious elements found.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 injured in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza late Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.

Israel has denied responsibility for the strike.

Gaza is already experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

The conflict began Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed. The death toll in Israel stands at more than 1,400.

The Argentine Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack on the Al Ahli Arab hospital.

"The Argentine government reiterates that international humanitarian law must be respected and calls for an end to the violence and guarantees the protection of the civilian population in order to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe," it said.

Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America, with an estimated 200,000 Jews.

In 1992, the Israeli Embassy suffered an attack that killed 22 people and left more than 200 wounded. Two years later, a car bomb destroyed the main building of a Jewish community center, leaving 85 dead and 300 wounded.

Security at Jewish institutions has been strengthened since the Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7.