Colombia's president calls Israeli attack on Gaza hospital 'war crime'

By Faruk Zorlu

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday that Israel’s attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza is a "war crime" that must be the focus of an international investigation.

“The attack on the Gaza hospital where more than 800 people died, including medical personnel and the sick, wounded and refugee population, the killing of women and children is a war crime that must be investigated internationally," Petro said on X.

“The attack on the Palestinian civilian population, the weakest part of the chain, has no ethical or moral basis,” he said, adding “the world must impose peace and restore the right of the Palestinian people to be free.”

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the start of the operation.