UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk today expressed disgust at the Israeli strike near a hospital in Beirut yesterday, Monday, demanding a “swift and thorough investigation”.

“I am appalled by the Israeli airstrike near the Rafik Hariri Hospital in Beirut’s densely populated Jnah district, which reportedly killed at least 18 people, including four children, and injured 60 others,” according to a statement. “The fundamental principles of international humanitarian law concerning the protection of civilians must be respected.”

Rescuers continued to search for survivors today, fearing the death toll could rise.

The university hospital suffered only minor damage “to the solar panels and glass facades,” its director said.

But nearby, four buildings were flattened by the strikes, according to an AFP reporter.

Turk stated that “when conducting military operations, all precautions must be taken to avoid, and in any case minimize, civilian deaths and injuries as well as damage to civilian property.”

“Hospitals, ambulances and medical staff are specifically protected by international humanitarian law,” he added.

“I reiterate the UN’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and remind all sides that the protection of civilians must be an absolute priority.”