Jordanian army accuses Israel of damaging hospital

KHAN YOUNIS — The Jordanian army accused Israel on Wednesday of damaging a Jordanian field hospital in the Gaza Strip and wounding two people during bombardments of the territory.

The hospital in Khan Younis, the biggest city in southern Gaza, was severely damaged due to nearby Israeli bombing overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, the military said in a statement.

It came amid Israel's war against Hamas, which was sparked by the Palestinian militant group's unprecedented attack on Israel in October.

The bombing wounded a hospital medic in the right thigh and hand, the army said, and the medic would be evacuated by air to Jordan for medical treatment.

A Gazan civilian receiving treatment in the intensive care unit "was also injured by shrapnel and a bullet during the aggression," the statement said, citing a senior military source.

"The Jordanian armed forces hold Israel fully responsible for the safety of hospital staff," it said, adding that the strikes were a "flagrant violation" of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.

It urged Israel, "the occupying power," to not take "any measures that prevent or hinder medical personnel from carrying out their duties."

The statement said the hospital would "continue to perform its medical and humanitarian duty."

Hospitals have been hit repeatedly during the conflict.

In December, Gaza's health ministry reported damage from a strike at the sprawling tent compound that makes up the Jordanian field hospital in Khan Younis.

Another Jordanian field hospital in the north of Gaza was hit by an Israeli strike in mid-November, wounding seven staff.

The Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted seven airdrops over Gaza since the beginning of the war.

Six airdrops delivered medical supplies for the field hospital and one for Palestinians besieged in a church in the north of Gaza.

Israel has said airdrops are carried out in "coordination" with its authorities.