Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama called for a thorough investigation into the explosion at a hospital in Gaza City, where hundreds of Palestinians are reported to have lost their lives.
In a lengthy social media post on the X platform, previously known as Twitter, the Albanian premier confirmed that the country stands firmly on the side of Israel, but expressed shock at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declarations on the issue.
“Hamas is a cancer in the body of humanity, but this doesn’t excuse turning a blind eye to the horrifying images of the bombed hospital or merely relying on the Prime Minister of Israel’s deeply shocking statement. In this conflict, Albania and the entire democratic world stand firmly on the side of Israel, barbarically targeted by the depravity of Hamas terrorists! However, the democratic world must also be a guarantor of the truth and the justice for the hundreds of victims of the bombed hospital in Gaza. Therefore, investigating the facts to identify the perpetrators of this massive slaughter and ensuring their punishment without any equivocation is an unquestionable responsibility and an essential obligation of the democratic world towards all of humanity,” the Prime Minister stated.
It is profoundly shocking to witness the images of the bombing of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, where hundreds of people were massacred and lost their lives. According to international law and the laws of war since ages itself, the sick and wounded, hospitals, medical personnel, and…
— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) October 18, 2023
Meanwhile, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani has characterized the aftermath of the explosion at a hospital in Gaza City, as “catastrophic”.
“Innocent lives must be protected. Unfortunately, it is the civilians who always suffer the most in any conflict,” Osmani expressed on the X platform.
It’s devastating to see the consequences in human lives with hundreds of civilian casualties following the bombing of a hospital in Gaza, including women & children.
Innocent lives must be protected. Unfortunately, it is the civilians who always suffer the most in any conflict.
— Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) October 18, 2023
Israel has disavowed any involvement in the blast that occurred at Al-Ahli hospital, instead attributing blame to the Palestinian militant group, Islamic Jihad. However, Islamic Jihad has equally denied any connection to the explosion.
Health authorities in Gaza have reported hundreds of casualties resulting from the blast.
The explosion has elicited reactions from Arab nations and the United States. President Joe Biden voiced his dismay and regret over the incident, underscoring that his national security team is in the process of gathering data to ascertain the actual events.
Since October 7, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas initiated coordinated attacks against Israel, the Israeli response has included airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million inhabitants.
Israel has encircled Gaza, leading to the blockage of vital supplies, such as water, food, and fuel, while simultaneously preparing for a potential ground incursion. An advisory has been issued to the Palestinian populace, urging them to evacuate from the north to the southern region of Gaza, as Israel has plans to target Hamas strongholds in the northern part.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, over 1,400 Israelis and more than 2,800 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have lost their lives.
