On Sunday, April 13, Israeli airstrikes targeted Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, one of the last fully operational medical facilities in the region. The attack severely damaged the hospital, leading to its closure and the evacuation of patients and staff. The Israeli military stated that the strike aimed at a Hamas command center allegedly operating within the hospital, a claim that Hamas has denied.
The hospital, operated by the Anglican Church, had been a critical healthcare provider for Gaza’s population, especially after the destruction of other medical facilities in the area. Prior to the strike, the hospital received a warning call from an individual claiming to represent Israeli security, prompting an evacuation. Despite this, the attack caused significant damage to the hospital’s infrastructure, including its emergency department, laboratories, and pharmacy. No casualties were reported from the strike itself, but the evacuation left hundreds of vulnerable patients without immediate medical care.
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which oversees the hospital, condemned the attack, emphasizing its impact on the already strained healthcare system in Gaza. International reactions have included criticism from UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who described the airstrikes on the hospital as “deplorable” and called for diplomatic efforts to replace ongoing violence.
This incident adds to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict intensified following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The destruction of Al-Ahli Arab Hospital further exacerbates the collapse of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, leaving the population with dwindling access to essential medical services.
