The United Nations Security Council on Friday held a meeting regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
During the session, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that Israel's justification for its military action against the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza was vague and lacked concrete evidence, contradicting publicly available information.
Turk explained that Israel frequently accuses Palestinian armed groups of using hospitals for military purposes, but these serious allegations often lack sufficient evidence and are not substantiated by reliable intelligence.
"In fact, I've just received a letter from the Israeli representative claiming that Israeli forces acted on credible intelligence that Hamas was using Kamal Adwan Hospital for military purposes. They asserted that additional measures were taken to ensure civilian safety. However, Israel has not provided enough information to validate these claims. These accusations are often vague and broad, and in some cases, they appear to be contradicted by publicly available information," said Turk.
The UN official reiterated the need for an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation into all attacks by Israel on hospitals, healthcare facilities, infrastructure, and medical personnel in Gaza, as well as allegations of the misuse of these facilities.
On Dec 27, 2024, Israeli forces launched a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, arresting several medical staff, including the hospital's director, Hussam Abu Safiya. As one of the last major operational medical facilities in northern Gaza, the hospital's raid further exacerbated the collapse of the region's healthcare system.
The World Health Organization has expressed serious concerns about the fate of the detained medical staff, particularly Hussam Abu Safiya, and has called for their immediate release.
UN official says Israeli military action against Gaza hospital lacks basis
UN official says Israeli military action against Gaza hospital lacks basis
Permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations (UN) Danny Danon on Thursday denied that any discussions had occurred between Israel and the UN regarding delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Danon made these remarks at the UN headquarters in response to a query from a China Central Television (CCTV) reporter about the ongoing failure to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel blocked the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2, following the end of the first phase of a January ceasefire deal with Hamas. It resumed attacks on Gaza on March 18.
With no food, no supplies, and no relief in sight, Gazans have been enduring a relentless fight for survival.
In response to mounting international condemnation, Israel has proposed that its military take over the distribution of aid - a move widely criticized by the international community.
Briefing a Security Council meeting on Tuesday, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher noted that the UN has met for over 12 times with the Israeli authorities regarding the latter's proposed aid distribution model, yet no solution had been found.
Danon, however, stated that no discussions have taken place in recent weeks regarding the issue.
"I don't know about that. Actually I listened to Mr. Fletcher's remarks at the Security Council the other day, and I can tell you that he visited Israel but he had no discussion about that fund because it was way back and in the last few weeks there was no dialogue about that. I would expect UN officials to engage when they want to speak about issues they know how to reach us, they know how to reach the U.S. mission. We are here to engage," he said.
"They got some information from the media, I assume. But I think they should look into that and to realize that if they want to be involved, that is the way to be involved," he added, reiterating that the UN has not reached out.
In response to Danon's denial, the United Nations reaffirmed its position, standing by the public statement released by Fletcher.
"I heard what he said, and we stand by what Mr. Fletcher has said," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General noted later on the day, commenting on Danon's statement.
"Mr. Fletcher gave the details," he continued.
Israel envoy denies discussions with UN on enabling Gaza aid deliveries
