I’m deeply alarmed by the recent Israeli airstrike on Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza. This “egregious attack” resulted in the loss of four lives and left seventeen others injured, including journalists and displaced civilians seeking refuge within the hospital walls.
The protection of medical facilities, personnel, and humanitarian missions is “non-negotiable” under “international law”. Hospitals are “sacrosanct spaces”, essential for providing care to the wounded, sick, and vulnerable populations. The deliberate targeting of Al-Aqsa Hospital is unacceptable and inhumane.
I echo the sentiments of UN Secretary-General António Guterres who expressed his horror at the killing of civilians and condemned the strike. He emphasized that hospitals and medical personnel must be shielded from harm. This incident underscores the urgent need for parties involved to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
Furthermore, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has unequivocally condemned the attack and called for the immediate protection of civilians and healthcare. The evacuation orders issued by Israel must be “reversed”, ensuring the safety of those seeking refuge within the hospital compound.
As a global community, we must recognize that even in times of conflict, there are #boundaries that must not be crossed. Hospitals are not battlegrounds, and patients and healthcare workers should never be caught in the crossfire. The militarization of hospitals is a grave violation of humanitarian norms.
Therefore, I issue a strong warning to Israel: “Cease all attacks on medical facilities immediately”. The lives of innocent civilians depend on our collective commitment to uphold the principles of humanity and compassion. The world is watching, and accountability will be sought for any further violations.
Let us work tirelessly to ensure that hospitals remain safe havens, where healing and care prevail over violence and destruction. May this tragedy serve as a catalyst for renewed efforts toward lasting peace in the region.
A World Health Organization team was on a humanitarian mission at Al-Aqsa Hospital in #Gaza, when a tent camp inside the hospital compound was hit by an Israeli airstrike today. Four people were killed and 17 injured. WHO staff are all accounted for.
Dirigente Medico presso Chirurgia Generale e Colon-Proctologica San Vito al Tagliamento
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