Israel must protect innocent people in hospitals, White House says

On Monday, the White House said that Israel is bound by international law to ensure the maximum protection of innocent people in Gaza hospitals, even while conducting operations against Hamas.

"We know that Hamas deliberately uses places like hospitals to store weapons, house their fighters, even to some degree, for command and control. So that places a special need on the Israeli Defense Forces, but also a special burden," White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told a news briefing.

Kirby said Israel had a right to defend itself but added, "We expect them to do so in accordance with international law and to protect innocent people in hospitals, medical staff and patients as well, as much as possible."