UN Demands Probe After Deadly Israeli Strikes on Gaza Hospital

Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, has been hit several times by Israeli airstrikes since October 2023. (file)

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza following two deadly Israeli air strikes on the Nasser Hospital in the southern Strip on Monday.

At least 20 people were killed, including four health workers and five journalists, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on social media.

Fifty others were injured, among them critically ill patients already receiving care.

“While people in Gaza are being starved, their already limited access to healthcare is being further crippled by repeated attacks,” Tedros remarked.

“We cannot say it loudly enough: STOP attacks on healthcare. Ceasefire now.”

He said the hospital’s main building — housing the emergency department, inpatient ward, and surgical unit — was hit. The strikes also damaged the emergency staircase.

The head of the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) also reacted to the incident.

“Silencing the last remaining voices reporting about children dying silently and famine with the world’s indifference and inaction is shocking,” said Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

He urged compassion to prevail, adding: “Let us undo this manmade famine by opening the gates without restrictions, protecting journalists and humanitarian and health workers,” stressing the urgent need for political will.

The UN noted that more than 240 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war began nearly two years ago following Hamas-led attacks on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 250 hostages taken, some of whom remain in captivity.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the airstrikes and called for a prompt and impartial investigation.

“These latest horrific killings highlight the extreme risks that medical personnel and journalists face as they carry out their vital work amid this brutal conflict,” UN Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that among those killed was journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, who partnered with the agency last year on a photo essay depicting Gaza’s dire situation.

The Secretary-General reiterated that medical personnel and journalists must be able to perform their duties without interference, intimidation, or harm, in line with international humanitarian law.

He also renewed his call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, unfettered humanitarian access, and the unconditional release of all hostages.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office later said the government “deeply regrets the tragic mishap” at Nasser Hospital.

The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 61,000, according to local health authorities.

Last week, food security experts confirmed that famine has taken root in Gaza Governorate and warned it is likely to spread.

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday that 11 people had died from malnutrition and starvation in the past 24 hours, bringing the overall total to 300.

Meanwhile, displacement continues across the enclave. Between 20 and 24 August, an estimated 5,000 people were displaced from northern Gaza to Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younis, while roughly 8,000 more moved to the west of Gaza City.

Overall, more than 800,000 people have been displaced since the end of the ceasefire in mid-March.

Aid convoys in Gaza continue to face delays and obstructions. On Sunday, only seven out of 15 humanitarian missions requiring coordination with Israel were facilitated, including the collection of fuel from the Kerem Shalom crossing for urgent distribution.

“Four missions had to be either cancelled by organisers or denied outright by Israeli authorities,” OCHA said.

“The remaining ones were initially approved but then impeded on the ground and only partially accomplished, including the collection of food and vaccines.”

While children worldwide return to school, those in Gaza continue to miss out.

Several education facilities serving as shelters for displaced families were attacked last week, aid agencies reported.

“With local authorities announcing that final exams for more than 35,000 high school students are due in two weeks, the UN and its partners reiterate their call for the protection of education facilities in accordance with international law,” OCHA said.