Israeli justification of hospital bombing 'pathetic attempt at deception': Gaza media office

The Gaza Media Office, which serves as the enclave's information ministry, said on Tuesday that the Israeli army's claim that "Hamas targets" hid at Nasser Hospital and necessitated its bombing is "a pathetic attempt at deception". 

"The occupation's narrative regarding the Nasser Hospital massacre is merely an extension of an old approach the occupation follows in every crime: fabricating pretexts and inventing evidence to avoid international prosecution," the media office said in a statement.

"Its repeated accusations of military activities against hospitals and civilian infrastructure are intended to legitimise its bombing, which is a complete violation of all international laws," the statement noted. "Throughout its genocidal war, the occupation has failed to substantiate its claims and lies that hospitals or civilian infrastructure are involved in military activities". 

The media office said that any "deliberate targeting" of hospitals, medical workers, rescue and civil defence teams, journalists, and aid providers constitutes a "flagrant violation" of Articles 18 and 19 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as being a breach of Article 79 of Additional Protocol I. It also constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

"The occupation's narrative is a pathetic attempt at deception," the statement said.

"We call on the international community, the United Nations, the International Commission of Inquiry, and the International Criminal Court to take immediate, serious, and effective action to document this crime, along with thousands of other crimes, hold its perpetrators accountable, and reject any narrative that seeks to justify the killing of civilians".