Shelling of Hadassah hospital – Cablegram from Chairman SecCo Truce Commission

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED 21 MAY 1948 FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL TRUCE COMMISSION FOR PALESTINE ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

MAJOR HERZOG, JEWISH AGENCY MILITARY LIAISON OFFICER, REQUESTED TRUCE COMMISSION TO TRANSMIT FOLLOWING MESSAGE TO SECURITY COUNCIL:

"ON THE 19TH MAY THE ARAB LEGION OPENED FIRE WITH 25 POUND GUNS AND CANNON FROM ARMOURED VEHICLES ON THE HADASSAH HOSPITAL.  THE GUNFIRE WAS DIRECTLY AIMED AND SHELLS PENETRATED AND CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS INCLUDING WARDS.  THE JEWISH AGENCY INFORMED THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND THE US CONSUL GENERAL SINCE HOSPITAL IS US PROTECTED PROPERTY.  THE RED CROSS HAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED THE BUILDINGS AND INFORMED THAT NO MILITARY PERSONNEL WERE WITHIN THE HOSPITAL BUILDINGS, THOUGH GUARDS POSTED IN GROUNDS AROUND."

THE MATTER HAS BEEN REFERRED TO THE AMERICAN CONSUL GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATION, SINCE HADASSAH HOSPITAL IS UNDER AMERICAN PROTECTION.

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