GENEVA: Attacks on medical facilities are prohibited under international humanitarian law, a United Nations (UN) human rights spokesperson told Anadolu Agency today (Oct 14) in response to Israeli order for a hospital in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate.
“International humanitarian law requires parties to the conflict to apply, at a minimum and among other requirements, that the wounded and sick must be collected and cared for without discrimination,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“Attacks against medical facilities, medical personnel and the wounded and sick are prohibited,” she stressed.
According to Doctors Without Borders, Israel yesterday (Oct 13) first gave Al Awda Hospital in Gaza just two hours to evacuate, then postponed this until 6 am local time.
Following the evacuation order, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Israel to reverse its evacuation order, saying moving patients would put their lives at risk.
The Israeli on Friday ordered all residents of northern Gaza to evacuate their homes and head to the south, despite warnings that this would lead to an international humanitarian disaster.
Israeli warplanes conducted intensive airstrikes in northern Gaza early Saturday amid reports of casualties.
Israel has defied international calls to halt its offensive and has killed nearly 2,000 Palestinians, including more than 500 children since Oct 7, according to media reports.– BERNAMA-ANADOLU
