Northern Cyprus declares 3 days of mourning for Gaza hospital attack victims

By Mehmet Kemal Firik

LEFKOSA, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (AA) - The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Thursday declared three days of national mourning for the victims of an Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza.

The TRNC Cabinet declared the mourning period on Oct. 19-21 due to the deaths and injuries of hundreds of people as a result of the attacks on the hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

The move followed the lead of Türkiye and Egypt, which also declared three days of national mourning for the victims.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 injured in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza late Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday. Israel has denied responsibility for the air raid.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when 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 the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

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

Gaza is facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

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

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.