GENEVA, Oct 14 — Attacks on medical facilities are prohibited under international humanitarian law, a United Nations (UN) human rights spokesperson told Anadolu Agency on Saturday in response to an Israeli order for a hospital in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate.
“International humanitarian law requires parties to the conflict to apply, at a minimum and among other requirements, that the wounded and sick must be collected and cared for without discrimination,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“Attacks against medical facilities, medical personnel and the wounded and sick are prohibited,” she stressed.
According to Doctors Without Borders, Israel first gave Al Awda Hospital in Gaza two hours to evacuate on Friday (October 13), then postponed this until 6am local time.
Following the evacuation order, the World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Israel to reverse its evacuation order, saying moving patients would put their lives at risk.
On Friday, Israel ordered all northern Gaza residents to evacuate their homes and head to the south, despite warnings that this would lead to an international humanitarian disaster.
Israeli warplanes conducted intensive airstrikes in northern Gaza early Saturday amid reported casualties.
According to media reports, Israel has defied international calls to halt its offensive and has killed nearly 2,000 Palestinians, including more than 500 children, since October 7.
— Bernama
