In brief
An Israeli air strike has destroyed critical sections of al Ahli Arab Hospital, the only fully functional hospital in Gaza City, prompting widespread condemnation for the attack on a medical facility amid ongoing conflict. Witnesses reported chaos during the evacuation of patients and staff, with officials stressing the need for immediate international intervention to ensure the protection of healthcare under humanitarian law.
In a tragic event that unfolded on Palm Sunday, the al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City was heavily damaged by an Israeli air strike, leaving the facility, which was the last fully operational hospital in that area, in ruins. Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror as flames and smoke billowed from the site while patients, including those still bedridden, attempted to flee to safety.According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strike was aimed at a "command and control centre used by Hamas" located within the hospital premises. Although officials reported no casualties, it was later revealed that a child, already suffering from previous injuries, died as a result of the hasty evacuation necessitated by the attack. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which oversees the hospital's operations, expressed shock and grief over the incident, stating it occurred at a significant time during Holy Week.As chaos enveloped the hospital, patients and their families were seen scrambling to evacuate amidst warnings from the IDF that they had mere minutes to escape. Local journalist accounts painted a picture of panic, with displaced Palestinians, including women and children, fleeing the premises under life-threatening conditions. Khalil Bakr recounted the harrowing experience of hurriedly escaping with his three injured daughters, noting their precarious escape from the jaws of potential death.The attack has resulted in the hospital suffering complete operational shutdown, as stated by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization. Following the blow to the hospital, the health department in Gaza reported that 50 patients were evacuated, leaving behind 40 critical cases unserviceable and condemning new incoming patients to uncertainty due to damage repair needs.International condemnation swiftly followed, with various leaders vocally opposing attacks on medical facilities. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy emphasized that such actions must cease, citing the significant decrease in healthcare accessibility in Gaza. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell expressed profound sorrow over the assault on the Christian hospital during such a solemn time.Historically, the al Ahli Arab Hospital has been at the center of turmoil, with a September incident nearly three months prior claiming hundreds of lives—sparking debates on the responsibility for the explosion. The wider context of violence stems from a major escalation following a cross-border attack that claimed hundreds of Israeli lives in October 2023, leading to a massive response aimed at dismantling Hamas.As tensions rise, the health ministry in Gaza reported that over 50,933 individuals have perished amidst continued conflict, with calls for peace and humanitarian aid growing louder in the international community.
