International news is marked by a tragic event which took place on October 17, 2023. The compound of Al-Ahli Arab hospital, located in Gaza City, was struck, causing the death of hundreds of people according to the Hamas Ministry of Health which accuses Israel. However, the Israeli army attributes this attack to the Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad.
This news sparked strong reactions around the world. The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned the strike, calling it a war crime. He called on the international community to intervene in this situation.
Jordan canceled a planned tripartite summit with US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and Palestinian leaders. Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said there was no point in talking about anything other than the end of the war following the attack on the Gaza hospital.
At the same time, Joe Biden traveled to the Middle East to try to find a peaceful solution to this conflict. His visit to Israel and his meeting with the various stakeholders were initially planned, but the current situation makes them even more urgent.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said he was outraged by this attack on the Gaza hospital. He described this situation as totally unacceptable, stressing that the most vulnerable were once again affected.
On the diplomatic level, France strongly condemned this strike and recalled the importance of respecting international law and the protection of civilian populations. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson also called for the immediate opening of humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
Lebanese Hezbollah has called for a “day of anger” to condemn what it sees as a massacre carried out by Israel against the Gaza hospital.
At the European level, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, expressed his emotion at this strike, stressing that attacks against civilian infrastructure were contrary to international law. He also warned of the risks of an escalation of the conflict, which would be a major danger for the entire world.
This sad news highlights once again the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Innocent civilians continue to pay the highest price, and it is the responsibility of the international community to act to end this violence and find a lasting solution.