The Turkish nation will be mourning for 471 Palestinians killed in Israel’s attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza as per a presidential decree, local media reported Wednesday.

“This expresses that Türkiye stands with the innocent in Palestine,” the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik told reporters in Ankara. “This loss, whose pain we share, is also our loss.”

Denunciations poured in on Tuesday and Wednesday over the blast, which has been broadly described as a “war crime” by politicians and Human Rights Watch.

Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid, blaming instead a misfiring rocket from the Palestinian resistance groups.

Footage on social media showed corpses scattered across the hospital grounds.

Thousands of Palestinians were at the hospital when the building came under bombardment, according to an Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter.

A growing chorus of non-governmental groups and world leaders is saying the Israeli bombing campaign on Gaza-including healthcare facilities, residences, and houses of worship-violates international law and may constitute war crimes.

Gaza is already experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

U.N. chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

pll/arm/ro/to/kt