The United Nations and the European Union have criticised Israel over the recent airstrikes on the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza, which left scores dead including six journalists.
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that, while Israeli authorities have announced investigations into such incidents, none have been completed.
Al-Kheetan condemned the Israeli military’s strike on Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis on Monday, in which six journalists were also killed.
“We call for accountability and justice. We have witnessed and documented many unacceptable attacks against journalists. Since October 7, 2023, at least 247 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza. These journalists are the eyes and ears of the whole world, and they must be protected.”
The spokesperson said the killings raised serious questions about the targeting of journalists and stressed that all such incidents must be investigated.
He also highlighted that hospitals, like journalists, are protected under international law.
“Israeli authorities in the past have announced that they launched investigations into such deaths. Of course, as the occupying power, it is Israel’s responsibility to conduct investigations, but these investigations must be concluded, and justice must be served. So far, we have seen no outcome or accountability measures. We are calling for accountability and justice,” he added.
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European Union condemnation
On Tuesday, the EU called on Israel to respect international humanitarian law, and described the recent Israeli strikes on hospitals and journalists in Gaza “completely unacceptable.”
“Civilians and journalists must be protected under international law. The EU reiterates its call on Israel to respect international humanitarian law and to ensure that these attacks are investigated,” EU Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni wrote in a statement issued by the European External Action Service, the bloc’s diplomatic arm.
Stressing that there have been “too many” fatalities, he said that Israel’s recent strikes were “completely unacceptable.”
“The EU stands in solidarity with the families of the victims, with the journalistic community, and with all civilians in Gaza who continue to pay the highest price,” the statement added.
Israel’s latests war crime
Gaza’s Health Ministry initially said 20 people were killed, including six journalists and a firefighter, in Israeli strike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Monday.
It said the Israeli army hit the fourth floor of one of the complex’s buildings with two airstrikes, noting that the second strike occurred as rescue teams arrived to evacuate the wounded and recover the dead.
Among the deceased was Hussam al-Masri, who worked as a photojournalist for the Reuters news agency, while the Qatari channel Al Jazeera confirmed that its photographer Mohammad Salama was also killed.
A medical source confirmed the death of photojournalist Mariam Abu Dagga while photojournalist Moaz Abu Taha was also killed in the Israeli strike targeting the hospital.
Medical sources also reported that Ahmed Abu Aziz, a freelance reporter with Tunisian and Moroccan news sites, died of injuries he sustained in the Israeli strike.
Israel’s airforce is known for using the so-called “double-tap” airstrike tactic which involves bombing a target, and then after a short wait bombing the same site again. The aim is to kill those who attempt to aid or recover the original victims.
Responding to an outpour of criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the apparent double-tap airstrike on the hospital as a “tragic mishap”.
In a statement on Monday evening, Mr Netanyahu’s office said: “Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza.”
“Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation.”
Israeli leaders have repeatedly claimed that Israel does not target civilians on purpose despite mounting evidence, including video footage of the latest attack on Nasser Hospital, disproving their claim.
Israel has killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023. The military onslaught has devastated the enclave which is currently facing famine.
Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war on the besieged Strip.
