Pakistan and 16 countries condemn Israeli strike on Gaza hospital

Pakistan and 16 other countries condemned an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza and called on Israel to protect civilians, medical facilities and health workers and to allow uninterrupted humanitarian aid into the enclave. The Foreign Office issued the joint statement on Saturday, according to Daily Times, which listed the signatories.

The other signatories were Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.

The strike hit the hospital's surgery ward early on Thursday. Dawn reported that at least six Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy, were killed and nearly 30 wounded, and described it as the deadliest single strike since Israel's elections last month. Daily Times put the toll at six dead and nearly 30 injured.

The Israeli military said it carried out an "aerial strike to eliminate the threat", according to Dawn. Daily Times reported that the military claimed Hamas had established a presence inside the hospital complex and that the strike targeted what it described as a security threat.

The ministers said the attack violated international humanitarian law, under which medical facilities and health workers receive special protection. They condemned Israeli attacks on civilians and on shelters housing displaced Palestinians, and warned that such actions undermine the ceasefire and efforts to restore stability.

The statement raised concern over restrictions on humanitarian supplies entering Gaza. It said shortages of tents, mobile homes and medical equipment have worsened living conditions, and that the approach of winter raises the risk to displaced families, particularly children and infants, with poor sanitation and limited healthcare adding to the danger.

The countries asked Israel to meet its commitments under the Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement and to allow safe, sustained aid deliveries without political or security-related conditions. They called for unrestricted access for United Nations agencies and humanitarian organisations, and urged the United States and the Board of Peace to ensure compliance.

The ministers reaffirmed their support for Palestinians through regional and international cooperation and called for the implementation of all phases of the ceasefire.

Daily Times reported that the Board of Peace has warned Gaza is unprepared for winter conditions, and that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Foreign Ministry on November 9 to intensify humanitarian assistance.