United Nations:
Tuesday’s deadly attack on a hospital in the Gaza Strip is “totally unacceptable”, the UN human rights chief said, stressing the need for perpetrators to be held accountable.
“Words fail me,” Volker Turk said in a statement.
“Hundreds of people were killed – horrifically – in a mass strike at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, including patients, health workers and families who had taken refuge in and around the hospital.
“Once again the most vulnerable. This is completely unacceptable.”
The Health Ministry in the Hamas-administered Palestinian territory said Israeli airstrikes on the hospital complex where displaced people are staying killed at least 200 people.
The Israeli military said the attack was a misfire by the Gaza-based militant group Islamic Jihad.
“Hospitals are sacred and must be protected at all costs,” Turk said.
“We do not yet know the full extent of this carnage, but what is clear is that the violence and killings must stop immediately.”
In addition to the hospital attack, Turk noted that earlier Tuesday at least six people were killed when a UN-run school in Gaza where they were sheltering was hit. At least 4,000 people had taken refuge there.
“All states with influence must do everything in their power to put an end to this appalling situation,” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“Citizens must be protected and humanitarian aid must be able to urgently reach those in need.
“Those found responsible must be held accountable.”
Israel has been bombing targets in Gaza since Hamas militants from the area attacked southern Israel on October 7, sparking a war that has left thousands dead on both sides.
Since then, about 3,000 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.
More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, the majority shot by Hamas militants crossing the border from Gaza and attacking border communities.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)