The foreign ministers of 17 countries, including Egypt, Qatar, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia, have strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younès, Gaza. The attack resulted in casualties among patients and medical personnel, violating international humanitarian law that guarantees special protection for medical establishments and personnel. The ministers expressed their deep concern over the ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians.
The condemned attack is part of a larger pattern of Israeli strikes targeting civilians, including tents and sites sheltering displaced persons. These actions undermine efforts to establish a ceasefire and restore security and stability in the Gaza Strip. The ministers also criticized the continued Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and shelter materials, which exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as winter approaches.
The restrictions on aid have worsened the living conditions for civilians, particularly children and infants, who are at risk of death due to exposure to extreme cold temperatures. The lack of adequate shelter and the deterioration of water, sanitation, and health services pose significant dangers to civilians. The ministers called on Israel to heed international appeals and the UN Security Council's demands to increase humanitarian aid.
The ministers urged Israel to fulfill its obligations under the Charm el-Cheikh Agreement, the Trump administration's peace plan, and UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025). Israel must respect the ceasefire, protect civilians and medical facilities, and ensure the safe and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid. The ministers also emphasized the need for Israel to allow UN agencies and humanitarian organizations to carry out their missions without obstruction.
The airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex is one of several attacks that have targeted medical facilities and personnel in Gaza. The ministers stressed that these attacks are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. They also highlighted the need for Israel to lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid and allow for the entry of essential supplies, including shelter materials and medical equipment.
The 17 countries that condemned the Israeli airstrike are Egypt, Qatar, Sudan, Libya, Palestine, Djibouti, Somalia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Algeria, and Kuwait, and Lebanon. Their joint statement reflects a unified international condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza.
The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and a return to peace negotiations. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The 17 countries that issued the joint statement have emphasized the need for Israel to take immediate action to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.
Key points
- Israel must respect the ceasefire and protect civilians and medical facilities in Gaza.
- The international community calls for an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.
- Israel's restrictions on aid exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
