UN official says Israeli military action against Gaza hospital lacks basis

The United Nations Security Council on Friday held a meeting regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

During the session, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that Israel's justification for its military action against the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza was vague and lacked concrete evidence, contradicting publicly available information.

Turk explained that Israel frequently accuses Palestinian armed groups of using hospitals for military purposes, but these serious allegations often lack sufficient evidence and are not substantiated by reliable intelligence.

"In fact, I've just received a letter from the Israeli representative claiming that Israeli forces acted on credible intelligence that Hamas was using Kamal Adwan Hospital for military purposes. They asserted that additional measures were taken to ensure civilian safety. However, Israel has not provided enough information to validate these claims. These accusations are often vague and broad, and in some cases, they appear to be contradicted by publicly available information," said Turk.

The UN official reiterated the need for an independent, thorough, and transparent investigation into all attacks by Israel on hospitals, healthcare facilities, infrastructure, and medical personnel in Gaza, as well as allegations of the misuse of these facilities.

On Dec 27, 2024, Israeli forces launched a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, arresting several medical staff, including the hospital's director, Hussam Abu Safiya. As one of the last major operational medical facilities in northern Gaza, the hospital's raid further exacerbated the collapse of the region's healthcare system.

The World Health Organization has expressed serious concerns about the fate of the detained medical staff, particularly Hussam Abu Safiya, and has called for their immediate release.

UN official says Israeli military action against Gaza hospital lacks basis

UN official says Israeli military action against Gaza hospital lacks basis

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM