António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, strongly condemned the strike that targeted Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, with preliminary reports of hundreds killed and many others wounded, including women and children.
I am horrified by the killing of hundreds of Palestinian civilians in a strike on a hospital in Gaza today, which I strongly condemn. My heart is with the families of the victims. Hospitals and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 17, 2023
I call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East to ease the epic human suffering.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 18, 2023
Too many lives - and the fate of the entire region - hang in the balance.
In a statement, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said the UN Chief also condemned the attack on an UNRWA school earlier in Al-Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza, killing at least six people.
The Secretary-General extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
He emphasised that hospitals, clinics, medical personnel, and UN premises are explicitly protected under international law.