A CHILD died as a result of the “rushed evacuation process” that preceded Israel’s bombing of the Anglican-run Al-Ahli Hospital, in Gaza, on Palm Sunday.
The diocese of Jerusalem issued a statement the same day condemning the twin missile strikes “in the strongest terms”. It said that, 20 minutes before the attack, the Israeli army had ordered everyone to evacuate the premises immediately, and that one child, who had previously suffered a head injury, “tragically died as a result of the rushed evacuation process”. There were no other reported deaths or injuries.
This was the fifth time that the hospital had been bombed since October 2023, the diocese said. The latest strikes had demolished the genetic laboratory and damaged the pharmacy and emergency-department buildings. Surrounding buildings including a church, St Philip’s, had also been damaged.
The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, said on Sunday evening that the hospital’s medical director had reported that the emergency room, laboratory, emergency room X-ray machines and pharmacy had all been “destroyed”. The hospital had been forced to move 50 patients to other hospitals, while 40 “critical” patients could not be moved.
“The hospital is unable to receive new patients pending repairs,” Dr Ghebreyesus wrote. “Hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law. Attacks on health care must stop.”
Al-Ahli hospital is one of the last fully-functional hospitals in Gaza City. Last month, its medical director, Dr Maher Ayyad, said that its ICU was completely full (News, 21 March). Its outpatient clinic was seeing between 500 and 700 patients a day.
The hospital is a partner of Embrace the Middle East. On Sunday, the charity shared a message that it had received from Dr Ayyad: “Our Lord was very great keeping all of our patients and employees safe. Praying for ceasefire, and peace for all.”
In an online statement, the Israel Defense Forces said that it had “dismantled” a “Hamas command and control centre inside Al-Ahli hospital. The compound was used by Hamas terrorists to plan and execute terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops. Despite the IDF repeatedly stating that military activity within medical facilities in Gaza must stop, Hamas continues to blatantly violate international law and abuse the civilian population. Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians or to the hospital compound, including issuing advanced warnings in the area of the terror infrastructure, the use of precise munitions, and aerial surveillance.”
The Archbishop of York said on Sunday: “The Anglican-run Ahli Hospital in Gaza is a place of healing and care for Palestinians living through unimaginable suffering. In unbearable conditions, its heroic doctors and nurses have cared for civilians who have endured 18 months of devastating violence.
“For the only Christian hospital in Gaza to be attacked on Palm Sunday is especially appalling. I share in the grief of our Palestinian brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Jerusalem. I pray for the staff and patients of the hospital, and for the family of the boy who tragically died during the evacuation.
“At the start of Holy Week, I join the cries of Christians around the world for an end to this violence — and for justice, security, dignity and peace for Palestinians and Israelis.”
In January, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) concluded that military action by Israeli forces had pushed the healthcare system in Gaza “to the point of almost complete collapse” (News, 10 January).
No aid has entered Gaza since 2 March, when ceasefire negotiations broke down (News, 21 March). The WHO reported last week that essential medicines, trauma and medical supplies were “rapidly running out”. It listed supplies for caesarean sections, anaesthesia for delivery and pain management, intravenous fluids, antibiotics, surgical sutures, and blood units needed for complicated deliveries. Partners reported that portable incubators, ventilators for neonatal intensive care, ultrasound machines, and oxygen pumps, along with 180 000 doses of routine childhood vaccines, had not been permitted to enter Gaza.
In a joint statement, UN heads warned last week that “the partially functional health system is overwhelmed. . . We are witnessing acts of war in Gaza that show an utter disregard for human life.”
