UN Security Council holds session to discuss Israeli attacks on Gaza medical facilities

New York: The UN Security Council (UNSC) held a meeting to discuss Israeli attacks on health facilities in the Gaza Strip. During the meeting, the...

New York: The UN Security Council (UNSC) held a meeting to discuss Israeli attacks on health facilities in the Gaza Strip.

During the meeting, the Council heard testimonies from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the World Health Organization representative in the West Bank and Gaza.

The meeting was held at the invitation of Algeria, which holds the presidency of the UN Security Council during the current month of January.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk said in his statement to the Security Council that a human rights catastrophe continues in Gaza before the eyes of the world. He added that Israel's methods of war have led to the killing of tens of thousands of people and widespread displacement and destruction, raising serious concerns about compliance with international law.

Turk referred to a recent report issued by his office covering the period from October 7, 2023 to June 30, 2024, which documented a pattern of attacks on hospitals, starting with Israeli airstrikes followed by ground forces incursions and the detention of some patients and staff, leaving hospitals unable to function. He stressed that protecting hospitals during wars is of utmost importance and must be respected by all parties at all times.