PH grieves for lives lost in tragic bombing of hospital in Gaza — DFA

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza city, Wednesday, October 11, 2023. As Israeli warplanes pummel Gaza to avenge the Hamas attack, Palestinians say the military has largely unleashed its fury on civilians. (AP file photo/Fatima Shbair)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippines is deeply saddened over the recent bombing of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, said Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday evening.

In a statement, DFA Spokesperson Teresita Daza said the country is mourning the loss of lives following the tragic incident.

“We grieve for the hundreds of innocent lives lost in this tragic incident – non-combatants which include medical practitioners, children, the wounded, and displaced individuals who only sought shelter at the facility,” said Daza.

“All parties should do their utmost to protect civilians in times of war and armed conflict,” she stressed.

“We support efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian relief in the conflict areas,” she added.

DFA did not detail if there were Filipinos affected by the bombing.

A massive blast rocked the Gaza hospital on Tuesday.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the hospital was packed with wounded Palestinians and other people seeking shelter.

Data from the ministry bared at least 500 people were killed in the incident.

Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike for the disaster, but Israeli Defense Forces said the incident was caused by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

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