Israel on Friday defended its raid on a north Gaza hospital last week while the U.N. human rights chief called the justification unsubstantiated and the World Health Organization urged Israel to release the hospital's director from detention.

U.N. experts on Thursday condemned Israel's raid on a hospital in northern Gaza, urging an end to the 'blatant assault' on health rights in

Israel has confirmed it is holding Gaza hospital director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya after earlier telling a local NGO that it was unaware of his case, sparking concern for his well being. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statement said he was "currently being investigated by Israeli security forces" in person.

UN experts on Thursday denounced Israel's raid on an embattled hospital in northern Gaza, demanding an end to the "blatant assault" on health rights in the besieged Palestinian territory."For well over a year into the genocide,