Stephen criticises attack on Al-Ahli Hospital
Stephen has written to the Foreign Secretary about the airstrike on Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza last month.
The Ahli Arab Hospital was the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City. Witnesses said the strike destroyed the intensive care and surgery departments of the hospital. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted the hospital because it contained a "command and control centre used by Hamas". No casualties were reported, according to Gaza's civil emergency service.
World Health Organization director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the hospital was out of service following the evacuation order and attack, according to an update he received from the hospital's director.
Following his letter to the Foreign Secretary, Stephen said: “This is a deplorable attack. Medical staff and facilities must be protected and civilians should be able to safely access medical treatment. Israel must provide access to medical care and temporary medical evacuations in accordance with international humanitarian law (IHL).”
The Foreign Secretary’s reply will be published on the Middle East Hub when Stephen receives it.