Ahmed Asmar
19 October 2023•Update: 19 October 2023
ISTANBUL
World-famous Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah urged world leaders Wednesday to allow humanitarian aid "immediately" into war-stricken Gaza.
"What's clear now is that humanitarian aid to Gaza must be allowed immediately. The people there are in terrible condition," Salah said in a video message published on his social media accounts.
"The scenes at the hospital last night were horrifying," the Liverpool forward said in reference to an Israeli airstrike Tuesday on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza.
Salah has been a Reds regular since 2017. He helped Liverpool win the 2020 English Premier League title and scored 192 goals in 315 appearances for the English powerhouse.
At least 471 people were killed and 342 injured in the Israeli airstrike on the hospital, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.
"The people of Gaza need food, water and medical supplies urgently. I am calling on world leaders to come together to prevent the further slaughter of any innocent souls. Humanity must prevail," he concluded in his message.
Israel has denied responsibility for the strike.
Gaza is already experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.
The conflict began on Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.
Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the start of the operation.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar
