Cleverly pleads for ‘cool heads’ in aftermath of Gaza hospital blast

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urged people not to rush to judgment over the Gaza hospital tragedy which is feared to have left hundreds dead, after Israel and Hamas issued rival claims about the atrocity. Cool heads must prevail.” US President Joe Biden, who was visiting Israel on Wednesday, appeared to agree with Tel Aviv’s explanation of events, telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you.” Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said it is a “complete and utter human tragedy” and called for an independent probe. “There should be an independent investigation to find those who are responsible for it.” Mr Yousaf, whose wife has family in Gaza, said: “Yesterday an Israeli missile hit a house across the road from my mother-in-law and father-in-law’s house and it shattered every window … broke all the mirrors and gave them a real fright.” Irish Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin called for a ceasefire and reiterated a call for humanitarian aid corridors to be opened into the Gaza Strip. Mr Biden’s visit to the region had originally included a trip to Jordan for face-to-face talks with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas but that leg of the tour was cancelled following the hospital tragedy.