United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his horror over the Israeli military’s targeting of an ambulance convoy in the Gaza Strip last Friday.
Guterres stated on Saturday, “I am horrified by the attack reported in Gaza against an ambulance convoy outside the Al-Shifa hospital,” adding that “the images of bodies strewn in the street in front of the hospital are appalling.”
The Friday bombardment targeted an ambulance in front of the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, resulting in 15 deaths and 60 injuries, according to the Health Ministry of Hamas, which stated that the vehicle was part of a convoy transporting “a number of the wounded on their way to receive treatment in Egypt.”
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported via Facebook: “The leading ambulance in the convoy was directly targeted by a missile, causing direct damage and wounding the crew and the injured on board.”
The Israeli military claimed that the targeted ambulance “was being used by a Hamas terror cell.”
Guterres emphasized that he “has not forgotten the terrorist attacks committed by Hamas in Israel,” but he also pointed out that “for about a month now, civilians in Gaza, including children and women, are surrounded, deprived of aid, being killed, and bombarded.” He insisted that “this must stop,” describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as horrifying.
The UN chief again urged for a ceasefire and the release of hostages held by “Hamas,” renewing the call for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
Since Hamas launched “Operation Al-Qassam Flood” on October 7, the death toll from Israeli shelling in Gaza has reached 9,227, including 3,826 children, in addition to 23,516 injured.
On the Israeli side, more than 1,400 individuals have been killed, while Hamas has captured over 240 Israelis.
