THE David Cameron said on Tuesday that the BBC’s report on the beating and humiliation of dozens of Palestinian doctors at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital by Israeli troops was “very disturbing”.

The British Foreign Secretary demanded “answers from the Israelis”.

Three of the doctors complained to the BBC that they were humiliated, beaten, they surrounded them with cold water and forced them to kneel for hours. They said they were detained for days.

Reacting to the international outcry, Israel said “any abuse of prisoners is strictly prohibited”. The Israeli army claims it raided the hospital because it was being used as a headquarters by Hamas militants. Although Tel Aviv denies abusing medical personnel during the operation did not deny the specific allegations of torture.

Lord Cameron told the House of Lords: “These images and reports coming out of this hospital are very disturbing, and we need to get to the bottom of what exactly happened, and we need answers from the Israelis on this.”

Earlier, Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell, speaking in the House of Commons, called for an investigation and a “full explanation” in response to questions from MPs.

Asked about the BBC report, Andrew Mitchell said that “there has to be full and thorough investigation and accountability as reported by the BBC today… the Foreign Office is pushing for full transparency and accountability in this matter.’

Mr Mitchell was responding to a question from Labour’s shadow international development minister, Lisa Nundy, who said the BBC report raised “serious allegations”.