UN special coordinator condemns 'horrific attack' against hospital in Gaza

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - UN Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland issued a statement Tuesday condemning in the "strongest terms" the attack on a hospital in Gaza.

"I condemn in the strongest terms the horrific attack against the Baptist Hospital in Gaza City which resulted in the killing of 200 - 300 people and injuring many others, including women and children," Wennesland wrote on X.

"I expresses my deepest sympathies to the families of the victims," he added.

Reiterating that attacks against civilians are "unacceptable" and that hospitals and medical facilities and personnel have "special protection" under international humanitarian law, he added: "Civilians cannot continue to pay the price. The horror and violence must stop."

More than 500 people were killed in the Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital late Tuesday, Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra told Anadolu.

Footage showed bodies scattered across the hospital grounds.

The airstrike came on the 11th day of the conflict, with a growing international chorus of non-governmental groups and world leaders saying the Israeli bombing campaign on the besieged enclave -- including healthcare facilities, homes and houses of worship -- violates international law and may constitute war crimes.