The Secretary General of United Nations, Antonio Guterres has condemned the deadly blast at a hospital in Gaza that left at least hundreds of people dead on Tuesday night.
Speaking on Wednesday, at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, Guterres, said he was “horrified” by the hundreds of people killed, following the blast on Tuesday and called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the region.
“I am fully aware of the deep grievances of the Palestinian people after 56 years of occupation, but as serious as these grievances are, they cannot justify the acts of terror against civilians committed by Hamas on October 7 that I immediately condemned. But those attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” he said.
Quoting Guterres, UN Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasised that hospitals along with clinics, medical personnel, and UN premises are protected under international law.
The Secretary-General also condemned the attack on a UNRWA school in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza on Tuesday, which killed at least six people.
“The Secretary-General extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a swift recovery to those injured,” the statement added.
Guterres has previously appealed for the release of “hostages” being held by Hamas in Gaza and for international aid to be allowed into the enclave.
He said these requests are not “bargaining chips” but “simply the right thing to do”.
Guterres is expected to travel to Egypt later this week where he is expected to meet with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and others on the situation in the region.
Also, UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, has strongly condemned the Gaza hospital blast.
Turk, on Tuesday night, by the Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, emphasised that hospitals are sacrosanct and the killings.
Calling for an immediate end to the violence, Turk said those responsible for the hospital blast must be held accountable. He urged all states with influence to do everything in their power to stop the current situation.
“Words fail me. Tonight, hundreds of people were killed – horrifically – in a massive strike…including patients, healthcare workers and families that had been seeking refuge in and around the hospital. Once again, the most vulnerable. This is totally unacceptable.
“Civilians must be protected, and humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need as a matter of urgency. Those found responsible must be held to account,” he said.
The Health Ministry in Gaza, on Tuesday, said that at least 500 people were killed in the Israeli air raid on Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in central Gaza.
Israel has, however, denied responsibility for the strike. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari of the Israel Defence Forces said no Israeli aircraft were operating in the area of the hospital at the time it was hit.
