Gaza Hospital Strike Condemned by Pakistan, 16 Nations
Pakistan and 16 other countries condemned the Gaza hospital strike on Saturday, and called on Israel to protect civilians and medical facilities and let humanitarian aid reach the enclave.
The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates condemned the attack in the strongest terms, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Saturday, as reported by Dawn.
The strike hit the surgery ward of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis early on Thursday. It killed at least six Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, and wounded nearly 30 others. It was the deadliest single strike since Israel’s elections last month.
The strike on Nasser Hospital
The Israeli military said it carried out an aerial strike to remove a threat, after Hamas had set up a presence inside the hospital complex and used it as a command centre.
The joint statement said the strike caused casualties among patients and medical personnel, in violation of international humanitarian law, which gives special protection to medical facilities and healthcare workers.
The statement also condemned continued Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, including strikes on tents and other sites sheltering displaced persons. It said these attacks undermine the ceasefire and run against US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan.
Why the Gaza hospital strike drew a joint response
The 17 countries also expressed grave concern that continued Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid, shelter materials including tents, caravans and mobile homes, and medical supplies were deepening Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe as winter approaches.
“Inadequate shelter and deteriorating water, sanitation and healthcare services put civilian lives at grave risk, particularly those of children and infants, who could once again die from exposure to freezing temperatures,” the statement said.
The foreign ministers called on Israel to heed appeals from the international community and the Board of Peace for increased aid. They asked Israel to fulfil immediately and in full its obligations under the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement.
These first-phase commitments were due to take effect upon signature, the statement said. “Israel must implement them without further delay or additional conditions, including political and security conditions, that impede humanitarian access,” it added.
The statement said urgent aid must proceed on its own, and not depend on progress in later phases. It called on the United States and the Board of Peace to press for full implementation and the lifting of all restrictions on aid entry.
What happens next
The foreign ministers reaffirmed their determination to work with partners to consolidate the ceasefire, implement all phases of the plan, and scale up aid for the Palestinian people.
The statement followed a warning from Trump’s Board of Peace earlier this month that Israel needed to act immediately to help Gaza cope with the coming winter, after measures taken ahead of deadly floods proved insufficient.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on November 9 that he had told the foreign ministry to use all possible means to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza amid heavy rainfall.
Pakistan has repeatedly pressed for a ceasefire and for aid access at the United Nations, where it urged Gulf de-escalation as the United States and Iran traded accusations over the confrontation in the Gulf. Russia and China also urged an immediate end to the war against Iran at the same forum.
The strike itself was reported when it happened. Six people were killed in the Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital, Gaza’s civil defence agency said at the time.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries condemned the Gaza hospital strike?
Pakistan and 16 other countries: Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates. Their foreign ministers issued a joint statement through Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
What happened at Nasser Hospital?
An Israeli strike hit the surgery ward of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis early on Thursday. It killed at least six Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, and wounded nearly 30 others. Israel said it targeted a Hamas presence inside the hospital complex.
What did the joint statement demand?
It called on Israel to uphold the ceasefire, protect civilians and medical facilities, and ensure the safe, sustained and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, including shelter and early recovery supplies. It also asked Israel to fulfil its obligations under the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement in full.
Why did the statement mention winter?
The foreign ministers warned that inadequate shelter and failing water, sanitation and healthcare services put lives at grave risk as winter approaches, and that children and infants could once again die from exposure to cold.
What is the Board of Peace?
It is the body set up under US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza. The joint statement called on it and the United States to press for full implementation of the ceasefire commitments and the lifting of all aid restrictions.
