The World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed both outrage and shock at the news of an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. “It is with a sense of outrage and shock,” said WCC, “that we received news of the Israeli missile attack on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Thousands of Palestinians who had lost their homes already were taking refuge at the hospital, run by the Anglican Church.” WCC stressed that “the attack amounts to collective punishment, which is a war crime under International Law. The international community must hold Israel accountable for the crimes committed against civilians.” The attack came on the same day when church leaders in Jerusalem organized a day of prayer for peace in Gaza, WCC pointed out. “The faithful throughout the world had joined in prayer; but Israel responded with an attack on a church-owned hospital, resulting in the killing of hundreds-perhaps more than 1,000-persons as per initial reports, and the injury of hundreds if not even thousands,” WCC continued. The statement urged US President Joe Biden to condemn this heinous attack against the hospital, and to ask the Government of Israel to stop the violent bombardment of Gaza and to open a humanitarian corridor.
Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA