18 Arab and Muslim states condemn Israeli attack on Gaza hospital

Foreign ministers of 18 Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement condemning an Israeli attack on a hospital in the Gaza Strip, saying the strike violated international humanitarian law, according to Xinhua. The signatories were Egypt, Qatar, Sudan, Libya, Palestine, Djibouti, Somalia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, Algeria, Kuwait and Lebanon.

The ministers said the attack, which took place on Thursday, targeted Nasser Hospital in Gaza and breached international humanitarian law, which provides special protection for medical facilities and healthcare personnel. They also condemned continued Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians, including displaced people, and warned that such strikes undermine the ceasefire and efforts to restore stability in Gaza.

The statement urged Israel to fully uphold the ceasefire, protect civilians and ensure the unimpeded delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ministers did not specify casualty figures or further operational details in the statement as reported.

The joint declaration brings together states from the Gulf, North Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia, reflecting a broad diplomatic response to the hospital strike. It follows earlier international expressions of concern over the protection of medical sites during the conflict.

According to Mehr News, citing Xinhua, the foreign ministers of the 18 countries issued the statement condemning the attack on Nasser Hospital and calling for the ceasefire to be respected and humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza without obstruction.