Hospitals in Gaza must be protected, says European Commissioner

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic on Saturday demanded that hospitals in Gaza to be protected, calling for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities.

"The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is beyond words," Lenarcic said on social media platform X, adding "I urge the warring parties to de-escalate immediately!"

"Hostilities are severely impacting hospitals, and taking a horrific toll on civilians and medical staff," he said, noting that the international humanitarian law is unequivocal.

He stressed: "Hospitals must be protected."

For days, the Israeli army has escalated its attacks on hospitals in the Gaza Strip, launching violent raids that resulted in deaths and injuries, as well as great concern about the fate of the displaced people taking shelter in hospitals.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip – including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship – since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 11,078 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women. The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.