Cairo, December 30, 2024 — In a strong condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary General of the Arab League, denounced the Israeli occupation forces’ attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, which resulted in the burning of the facility and the tragic loss of medical staff. This latest act of violence, which saw the storming of the hospital by Israeli forces, is seen as another grave violation of international humanitarian law and a horrifying escalation in the ongoing conflict.
In a statement issued following the attack, Aboul Gheit described the actions of Israeli forces as nothing short of war crimes. He emphasized that such heinous acts would not be forgotten, underscoring that the international community’s silence in the face of these atrocities marks a deep stain on humanity’s conscience. His remarks serve as a stark reminder of the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, has been targeted amidst an increasingly brutal military offensive.
Aboul Gheit’s statement also pointed to the fact that the attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital is part of a broader pattern of disregard for international law by Israeli forces. Targeting hospitals, medical staff, and civilians, along with the prolonged siege on the facility, is evidence of a blatant violation of the rules governing armed conflict, including the Geneva Conventions. The Secretary General condemned the siege, which has lasted for weeks, and the deliberate actions that have placed countless lives at risk, particularly those of the most vulnerable, including women and children.
He described the ongoing 450-day war in Gaza as having reached a horrific stage, with the suffering of the population intensifying daily. Aboul Gheit expressed deep concern over the displacement and death of countless innocent people, including children who are dying from exposure to the cold and the torture of a population left without access to adequate medical care, food, or shelter. The assault on medical personnel and facilities, such as the Kamal Adwan Hospital, is particularly devastating, as it impedes the ability of health professionals to provide life-saving care to those caught in the crossfire.
Further condemning the global inaction, Aboul Gheit warned that the continued silence and failure of international institutions to hold Israel accountable would ultimately lead to the collapse of the international order. He stressed that the inability of the international community to protect civilians, prevent atrocities, or demand accountability is undermining the very foundations of international humanitarian law. This failure, he argued, has left the civilians of Gaza particularly vulnerable to ongoing atrocities, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and displacement.
The Arab League’s condemnation of Israel’s actions comes at a time when Gaza is enduring one of the most devastating periods of violence in its history. The hospital attack, in particular, highlights the dangerous trend of targeting civilian infrastructure, which has left many areas of Gaza without functioning medical facilities to treat the wounded. Despite widespread international calls for an end to the violence, many governments and international organizations have been accused of failing to take decisive action to protect the civilian population or to halt the Israeli military’s operations.
Aboul Gheit’s statement is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for accountability in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as a call for the international community to uphold its commitments under international law. The Arab League has called for immediate action to protect civilians, ensure the safety of medical staff, and provide humanitarian relief to the besieged population of Gaza.
As the world watches the tragedy unfold, the continued indifference from major powers and international bodies is creating a sense of despair and frustration, with many questioning the effectiveness of the international system in addressing egregious violations of human rights and protecting innocent lives in conflict zones.