African Union, South Africa, condemn Israel over Gaza hospital blast

In a statement on Wednesday, the Chairperson of the African Union as well as the South African government condemned Israel over the blast that killed about 500 people at the Al Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. They said targeting a hospital considered a safe place under International Humanitarian Law, is a war crime…

The African Union has joined other international communities to strongly condemn an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday which killed more than 500 people.

African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement that “There are no words to fully express our condemnation of Israel’s bombing of a Gaza hospital today, killing hundreds of people.
“Targeting a hospital, considered a safe haven under International Humanitarian Law, is a war crime. The International Community must act now.” The AU Chairperson said.

South Africa’s foreign ministry made a similar statement, saying “Just as the attack by Hamas on civilians in Israel was abhorrent, there are no words to fully express South Africa’s condemnation of Israel’s bombing of the Ahli Arab Baptist hospital on 17 October, killing well over 500 people and injuring over 1,000,” it said.

“The targeting of a hospital considered a safe haven under International Humanitarian Law is a war crime.”

The hospital blast in Gaza also triggered anger in several African countries
In Tunisia, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside the French embassy in the capital, Tunis.

They condemned Western countries for backing Israel in the latest violent clashes which they blamed for the attack on the Al Ahli hospital.