Pakistan, 16 countries condemn Israeli strike on Gaza hospital

Pakistan and 16 other countries on Saturday strongly condemned an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, Gaza, which killed six people, including patients and healthcare workers.

The countries described the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law, which provides special protection to medical facilities, patients and healthcare personnel during armed conflicts.

In a joint statement shared on social media, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) said the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Palestine, Algeria, Mauritania, Sudan, Libya, Djibouti, Somalia, Lebanon and Oman had denounced the Israeli strike in the strongest terms.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the attack, claiming that it had targeted Muhammad Abu Ismail, commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis brigade, along with other individuals allegedly present inside the medical complex.

The joint statement also expressed concern over continued Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, particularly strikes targeting tents and other locations sheltering displaced families. The ministers warned that such operations were undermining the ceasefire and international efforts to restore security and stability in Gaza.

They also raised alarm over restrictions on humanitarian assistance, including food, medical supplies and essential shelter materials such as tents, caravans and mobile homes. The restrictions, they said, were worsening an already critical humanitarian situation as winter approaches.

The ministers warned that inadequate shelter and the deteriorating condition of water, sanitation and healthcare services were putting civilians at serious risk. Children and infants were particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures and could face life-threatening conditions without adequate protection.

They urged Israel to respond to international appeals and those made by the Board of Peace by immediately fulfilling its commitments under the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement, US President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025).

The statement stressed that Israel must respect the ceasefire, safeguard civilians and medical facilities, and allow humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza safely and without obstruction.

It also called for the uninterrupted delivery of sufficient relief supplies, including shelter materials and equipment required to restore essential infrastructure. Israel was further urged to allow United Nations agencies and international humanitarian organisations to carry out their work without restrictions.

The foreign ministers emphasised that commitments agreed upon during the first phase were supposed to take effect immediately after the agreement was signed. They said humanitarian assistance should not be delayed by additional political or security conditions or linked to progress on subsequent phases of the plan.

The countries also called on the United States and the Board of Peace to increase pressure within their respective roles to ensure Israel fulfils its commitments and removes restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.