Under international humanitarian law, a hospital and its personnel exclusively assigned to medical purposes must be respected and protected in all circumstances and may not be the subject of attack. As long as the hospital is not used to commit hostile acts, such as launching military offensives or storing military equipment in its compound, the hospital must not be attacked. Civilians who have sought refuge in or near the hospital must – like any other civilians – be respected at all times, unless and for such time as they take a direct part in hostilities.

The ICRC calls on both parties to respect the hospital's protected status and to spare both its personnel and civilians who have sought shelter in the area.