https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/11/20/israeli-tanks-hospital-north-gaza‘Such horror’: Patients killed in shootout at Gaza hospital
The New Daily Nov 20, 2023, updated Nov 20, 2023
The World Health Organisation’s chief says he is “appalled” by a deadly incident at a hospital in Gaza in which Israel said its troops shot back at gunfire coming from inside.
Palestinian health authorities said 12 people were killed – including patients being treated at the Indonesian Hospital and a member of staff – and dozens were wounded.
Israel Defence Forces said troops were outside the Indonesian Hospital when they came under fire from “terrorists” inside.
“In response, IDF troops directly targeted the specific source of enemy fire. No shells were fired toward the hospital,” the IDF said.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X that he was “appalled by an attack on the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, reportedly resulting in 12 deaths, including patients, and tens of injuries, including critical and life-threatening ones.
“Health workers and civilians should never have to be exposed to such horror, and especially while inside a hospital.”
Israeli tanks are positioned around the hospital complex in north Gaza, as fighting rages on amid indications of an impending pause in hostilities.
Like many other health facilities in embattled Gaza, the Indonesian Hospital, set up in 2016 with funding from Indonesian organisations, has ceased operations.
Health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said about 700 people, including medical teams and wounded, were inside the facility.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said its clinic in Gaza City also came under fire.
The civilian death toll in Gaza is “staggering and unacceptable”, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said, appealing again on Sunday for an immediate humanitarian truce.