UN rights chief appalled by Israeli attack on Beirut hospital

The UN’s human rights chief yesterday expressed concern over an Israeli air strike near Rafik Hariri University Hospital in the Lebanese capital Beirut, saying the protection of civilians “must be the absolute top priority.”

In a statement, Volker Turk said he was appalled by Monday’s deadly strike which reportedly killed at least 18 people, including four children, and reiterated that the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law concerning the protection of civilians must be respected.

He noted that the hospital, one of the main medical facilities in Beirut, which has received a large number of patients since Israel began bombing Lebanon, also appears to have been damaged in the strike.

“In the conduct of military operations, all feasible precautions must be taken to avoid, and in any event to minimise, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects,” Turk stressed.

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He said that hospitals, ambulances and medical personnel are specifically protected under international humanitarian law because of their life saving function for the wounded and the sick.

“When conducting military operations in the vicinity of hospitals, parties to the conflict must assess the expected impact on health care services in relation to the principles of proportionality and precautions.

“Any incidents which affect hospitals must be subjected to a prompt and thorough investigation,” he added.

Turk also reiterated the UN’s call for an immediate cessation to hostilities and reminded all parties that the protection of civilians must be the absolute top priority.

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