Palestinian gov’t to file case vs Israel if proven of bombing Gaza hospital

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Thursday, October 12, 2023. Israel’s retaliation has escalated after Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers launched an unprecedented attack on Israel Saturday, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking captive dozens. Heavy Israeli airstrikes on the enclave has killed over 1,200 Palestinians. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

MANILA, Philippines — The Palestinian government will file a case against Israel if proven that the latter was behind the bombing of the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.

Palestinian ambassador to the Philippines Saleh Mohammad confirmed this in a press conference on Friday.

The Hamas-run health ministry earlier said that the hospital was packed with wounded Palestinians and others seeking shelter.

READ: Israel military says no evidence of air strike on Gaza hospital

Data from the ministry showed that at least 500 people were killed following the incident. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike for the tragedy, but the Israeli Defense Forces said the incident was caused by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

“Of course, we have to file a case. Of course, we will prosecute them. We will take it to the international court of justice,” Mohammad told reporters.

READ: Gaza hospital blast sparks blame game between Hamas, Israel as rage spreads

“Our blood is not cheap. Our blood is very precious and we will take it to the extreme. We will make sure that they will not have impunity. This time is not like other times. This time, we will take it to the extreme,” he emphasized.

Mohammad, in the same interview, stressed that Palestinian lives are not lesser than Israelis’ lives.

The Palestinian official then reiterated that their government denounces and rejects the violence amid the war between Israel and militant group Hamas.

Mohammad likewise added that they are against the killing of civilians, stressing that the act contravenes morals and goes against international law.

JPV