US defends Israeli hospital strike

(MENAFN) US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea has defended Israel's recent airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, claiming it was a legitimate military action targeting Hamas operatives. The strike killed at least 20 people, including five journalists.

Speaking to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Shea cited findings from an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigation, which concluded that six Hamas members were killed in the strike. One of those individuals was allegedly involved in the October 7 attacks on Israel. According to Israel, the militants were using the hospital to track Israeli military movements.

Shea acknowledged the civilian casualties and said Israel had expressed “deep regret” over the harm caused. She also urged the Council to denounce Hamas for using civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

Her comments aligned with those of Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon, who reiterated that Israel targets only militants, not civilians or journalists, and promised more details soon.

The IDF released the names of the six alleged militants killed in the strike, reportedly affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. However, the five journalists killed—who were working with Reuters, AP, and Al Jazeera—were not among them.

The airstrike has sparked international concern due to its impact on a medical facility and civilian deaths. Israel continues to face global criticism for attacks on protected sites in Gaza during its ongoing military campaign.

The war began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages. Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry claims over 62,000 people have died and more than 156,000 have been injured in Israeli strikes.

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