Biden 'Outraged' Over Gaza Hospital Attack, Palestine Decries 'Cold-Blooded' Massacre. World Leaders React
US President said he was "outraged" by the Israeli attack on Gaza Hospital while Palestine denounced it as "cold-blooded massacre" and Turkey slammed Israel for the blast.
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday condemned the Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City Hospital, that killed at least 500 people, where thousands of people were seeking medical treatment and shelter at the time of the blast. Following the the attack, Biden said he spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and also directed his national security team to gather information about what exactly happened.
"I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted," said the United States President in a post on X. "Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national security team to continue gathering information about what exactly happened," he added.
I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at the Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted. Immediately upon hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and have directed my national…
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 17, 2023
"The United States stands unequivocally for the protection of civilian life during conflict and we mourn the patients, medical staff and other innocents killed or wounded in this tragedy," said Biden who will be on a visit to Israel on Wednesday.
The Palestinian government denounced the attacks as "cold-blooded massacre" by Israeli Defence Forces which will "forever remain a stain on the conscience of humanity."
#Gaza_under_attack#Palestine#Israeliwarcrimes#Hospital pic.twitter.com/Zfb6OjevUm
— State of Palestine - MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) October 17, 2023
"Every rule of international law is being shredded as thousands are mercilessly massacred and millions of people are being stripped of their humanity," the statement by Palestinian government read, calling for a "halt to this depravity".
So far 3,000 people have been killed in the war between Israel and Hamas since the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack on October 7 following which Israeli Defence Forces continue to pound the Gaza Strip.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Tel Aviv for the attack and called for action to stop Israel's "unprecedented brutality in Gaza".
"Striking a hospital where there are women, children, and innocent civilians is the latest example of Israel's attacks devoid of fundamental human values," Erdogan said in a post on X.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said he was "horrified" as he condemned the attacks.
ALSO READ: Israel Denies Hand In Gaza Hospital Attack Killing 500, Triggers Massive Outcry
Taking to X, he wrote, "I am horrified by the killing of hundreds of Palestinian civilians in a strike on a hospital in Gaza today, which I strongly condemn. My heart is with the families of the victims. Hospitals and medical personnel are protected under international humanitarian law."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demanded accountability as he expressed his grief on the loss of lives.
"I’m horrified by the loss of life at Al Ahli Arab hospital in Gaza. My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones. It is imperative that innocent civilians be protected and international law upheld. Together, we must determine what happened. There must be accountability," he said.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tributes to those killed in the attacks and called for investigation.
"I am horrified by the images of the explosion in a hospital in Gaza. Innocent civilians were injured and killed. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. A thorough investigation of the incident is imperative," he wrote on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his "shock" at the "tragic loss of lives" at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza.
Taking to X, he wrote: "Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. Civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. Those involved should be held responsible."
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