By Burak Bir
LONDON (AA) - The head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said Sunday that he is "deeply concerned" over the severity of the situation near Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City.
Jagan Chapagain's remarks came after Israel conducted airstrikes near the hospital in the besieged enclave.
"As a result, our @PalestineRCS teams are unable to provide ambulance services," Chapagain said on X, calling for protecting hospitals.
"I call on all parties: hospitals are places of help & refuge. They must be protected. It's a moral & legal imperative," he wrote.
The Israeli army has recently targeted Palestinian hospitals in the Gaza Strip including Al-Shifa Hospital, Al-Quds Hospital and the Indonesian Hospital.
The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise offensive on Oct. 7.
The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip has risen to 9,770, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave announced Sunday.
“The death toll as a result of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7 is 9,770, including 4,800 children and 2,550 women,” the ministry said in a statement.