The UN rights chief said he was “appalled” by a deadly Israeli strike nearly a south Beirut hospital on Monday, demanding a “prompt and thorough investigation”, AFP reports.

Lebanon’s health ministry said that at least 18 people had been killed in the Israeli strike near the Rafic Hariri Hospital, Lebanon’s biggest public health facility, located a few kilometres from the city centre.

“I am appalled,” United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said in a statement, insisting that “the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law concerning the protection of civilians must be respected”.

He pointed out that four children reportedly figured among the at least 18 people killed, while 60 people had been wounded. Rescuers were still searching for survivors, amid fears that the toll may rise further.

The facility in the densely-populated Jnah neighbourhood sustained minor damage in the strike, with windows shattered and its solar panels destroyed, its director said.