UN demands investigation into hospital attack in Gaza

NEW YORK

The UN on Wednesday demanded an investigation into an attack on a hospital in the Gaza Strip.

When asked by Anadolu whether the UN will be involved in the investigations to clarify details of the attack that killed hundreds of civilians, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it is "early days" and the UN will "have to see what is done by way of investigation."

"It is essential that there could be some form of investigation into this," he added.

When asked if the UN intends to investigate as it did in 2014 into the Israeli shelling of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools in Gaza, he responded: "I don't want to get ahead of ourselves here, and I'm not going to speculate what the future might hold."

"What's clear is that there needs to be some form of investigation and we'll see what the arrangements are and take it from there," he said.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza late Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Wednesday. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

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 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. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have so far been killed, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.