‘Brutal war crime’: Iran condemns Israel’s deadly bombing of Gaza hospital

Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Monday, hours after the Israeli military conducted double-tap strikes on the Nasser Medical Complex in the city of Khan Yunis. The victims included five journalists, along with patients, health workers, and emergency responders who had rushed to the scene after the initial strike.

Referring to the heavy death toll from Israel’s “savage bombing” of the hospital, Baghaei said the Zionist regime committed the “brutal war crime” as part of its genocide plan and with the intent of erasing Palestine as a nation and identity.

He also described as “shameful” the continued inaction of international organizations and self-proclaimed rights advocates regarding Israel’s gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law in the besieged Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The spokesman said all governments bear legal and moral responsibility for “stopping the genocide and punishing the Nazi and racist Zionist criminals."

“The military and political supporters of the occupying regime, especially the United States, must be held accountable before the international community as accomplices and partners in the heinous crimes committed against the Palestinian people," he added.

The Palestinian Presidency condemned the attack as “a new war crime,” saying it adds to a long series of crimes and massacres committed by the Israeli occupation to silence the Palestinian media and the voice of truth.

The first strike hit the hospital’s fourth floor, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, followed by the second that struck ambulance crews and emergency workers.

The Zionist regime’s military admitted to the deadly attack that killed the journalists who worked with international outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera and the Middle East Eye.

The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media working in the occupied territories and Palestine, said it is “outraged and in shock” by the assault, demanding “an immediate explanation” from the Israeli military and the Israeli prime minister’s office.

“We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists,” it said in a statement.

“This must be a watershed moment. We appeal to international leaders: Do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves.”

Zionist regime has martyred 62,744 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 158,259 others since October 2023, when it unleashed its genocidal war on the besieged territory, according to the health ministry of Gaza.