Condemning Israeli Special Forces' Attack on Nasser Hospital, UN Secretary General: Hospitals Should Not Become Military Targets

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. (Source: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

JAKARTA - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack by the Israeli military on the hospital in Khan Younis, said spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"We emphasize once again, hospitals must be kept free from fighting, they must not be the target of any military action, any type of military action in hospitals must be condemned," said Dujarric, reported by CNN, February 16.

As previously reported, Israeli special forces raided the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Thursday, the only large hospital still functioning in the territory after besieging the facility for days.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they "arrested a number of suspects" at the hospital, adding that the operation was still ongoing.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said they had "credible intelligence from a number of sources, including from released hostages," that Hamas had previously held hostages at the hospital, with the bodies of deceased hostages possibly in the hospital.

However, the Israeli military did not release this evidence publicly.

Adm. Hagari claimed, "Hamas terrorists are most likely hiding behind the injured civilians inside Nasser Hospital at this time," saying the operation would be "precise and limited."

"This sensitive operation was properly prepared and carried out by IDF special forces who underwent special training," said Admiral Hagari, citing Reuters.

On the other hand, the Hamas militant group denied accusations that they were operating at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

"Hamas has no business in hospitals," explained Muhammad Nazzal, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza Ashraf Al-Qidra said: "The Israeli occupation stormed the Nasser Medical Complex and turned it into a military barracks after destroying the southern wall and entering from there."

Israeli military bulldozers are excavating mass graves that have been dug within the compound's walls, Dr. Al-Qidra.

It is known that this Israeli special forces operation occurred a day after hundreds of civilians were forced by Israeli troops to leave the hospital, which they used as a shelter.