UN calls for accountability over attacks on hospitals, journalists in Gaza

GENEVA

The UN’s human rights office has urged Israel to ensure accountability after repeated deadly attacks on journalists and hospitals in Gaza.

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that, while Israeli authorities have announced investigations into such incidents, none have been completed.

“We call for accountability and justice,” he said.

Al-Kheetan condemned the Israeli military’s strike on Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis on Thursday, in which five journalists were also killed.

“We have witnessed and documented many unacceptable attacks against journalists. Since Oct. 7, 2023, at least 247 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza. These journalists are the eyes and ears of the whole world, and they must be protected,” he said.

The spokesperson said the killings raised serious questions about the targeting of journalists and stressed that all such incidents must be investigated.

He also highlighted that hospitals, like journalists, are protected under international law.

“Israeli authorities in the past have announced that they launched investigations into such deaths. Of course, as the occupying power, it is Israel’s responsibility to conduct investigations, but these investigations must be concluded, and justice must be served. So far, we have seen no outcome or accountability measures. We are calling for accountability and justice,” he added.

Israel has killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.