KABUL, Afghanistan — The new commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan issued an unreserved apology on Tuesday to the families of victims of the United States’ bombing of a hospital in the city of Kunduz last year that killed 42 people.

The commander, Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., and his wife, Norine MacDonald, a security analyst, traveled to Kunduz on Tuesday to meet with local officials and families of victims of the attack on the Doctors Without Borders hospital in October.

The couple’s trip was clearly geared toward adding a personal component to the apology. Its tone was a sharp contrast to that of General Nicholson’s predecessor, Gen. John F. Campbell, who had sent confusing messages after the attack and had stopped short of apologizing.

“As commander, I wanted to come to Kunduz personally and stand before the families and the people of Kunduz to deeply apologize for the events which destroyed the hospital and caused the deaths of staff, patients and family members,” said General Nicholson, who took charge of the forces this month. “I grieve with you for your loss and suffering, and humbly and respectfully ask for your forgiveness.”