Israel’s military struck Nasser Hospital in Gaza, killing healthcare workers and journalists, sparking international outrage and a formal investigation.
Attack on Nasser Hospital
Israel’s military action and official response
On Monday, Israel’s army announced an attack near Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Among the casualties were healthcare workers and journalists. Eyal Zamir, Chief of the Israel Defense Forces General Staff, ordered an investigation into the incident. The military stated in a statement, “We regret any harm caused to civilians” and clarified that journalists are not targets. It added, “We strive to minimize harm to civilians as much as possible while ensuring the safety of Israeli soldiers.”
Netanyahu’s comments on the attack
“Israel deeply mourns the tragic incident that occurred today at Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians,” said Benjamin Netanyahu after the attack. “Our just goal is to defeat Hamas and bring our captives home,” he added.
Global backlash after the hospital strike
The international community condemned Israel’s attack. The UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson reminded that healthcare and media workers must be able to fulfill their duties. UNHCR Commissioner for Palestinian Refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, wrote on a social media platform, stating that killing media workers silences the last voices reporting on children silently dying of hunger in Gaza. The World Health Organization (WHO) urged an immediate halt to attacks on medical facilities in Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote on social media that while Gazans face hunger, their already limited access to medical care is further restricted by repeated attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron declared that attacking hospitals is unacceptable. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed shock over the hospital strike on a social media platform. Germany’s Foreign Ministry called reports of the attack “shocking” and emphasized the need for an investigation. Turkey’s Presidential Communications Office stated, “Israel, which continues its cruelty without respecting humanitarian and legal principles, is deluded into thinking it can prevent the truth from being revealed by attacking journalists.”
Source: Gazeta, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/hamas#anchorLink], https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/uchodzcy#anchorLink], https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/WHO#anchorLink]
