UN Report: Gaza Hospitals Under Siege

A UN report condemns Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, raising concerns about violations of international law. Over 45,500 Palestinians have died since October 2023. Israel denies targeting civilians, accusing Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes, a claim the UN report finds unsubstantiated without further evidence.

A recent UN report has brought to light the severe impact of Israeli military actions on hospitals in Gaza, highlighting potential breaches of international law. The report documents incidents from October 2023 to June 2024, underscoring the decimation of the Palestinian health infrastructure as a consequence of ongoing hostilities.

Israel's representative to the UN, Daniel Meron, has refuted these claims, citing adherence to international law and accusing Hamas of exploiting hospitals for 'terror activities.' The report acknowledges these allegations but states that insufficient public evidence has been provided to substantiate them.

The report warns that attacks directed at hospitals could qualify as war crimes unless justified as military objectives, raising alarms about ongoing human rights abuses. Despite these allegations, Israel claims it has taken considerable measures to minimize civilian harm and facilitate humanitarian assistance.

(With inputs from agencies.)