In brief
The Israeli Defense Forces targeted the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City, destroying vital medical facilities and prompting an evacuation that tragically led to the death of a child. The air strike has drawn international condemnation and raised alarms over humanitarian rights violations under international law.
In a devastating development for medical facilities in Gaza, an Israeli air strike has partially destroyed the al Ahli Arab Hospital, now left as the last operational hospital in Gaza City. The targeted strike, which hit the intensive care and surgical units, sent clouds of smoke and flames pouring into the sky, according to witnesses and visual evidence circulating online. Patients, including those still receiving care, were seen hastily fleeing the premises following the attack.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that their strike was directed at a "command and control centre used by Hamas" located within the hospital. While there were no immediate casualties reported, unique circumstances claimed the life of a child who had previously suffered a head injury, as indicated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which administers the hospital. They described the chaotic evacuation process as the direct reason for the child’s demise.Reports have surfaced suggesting that surrounding hospitals and even nearby buildings, including St Philip's church, sustained damage from the bombing. The diocese expressed its outrage, particularly given that the strike coincided with the observance of Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. Al Ahli Arab Hospital, which was previously a modest facility, has seen its functionality compromised as it transformed into the only fully operational hospital after the destruction of Al-Shifa medical complex and other medical institutions in northern Gaza.World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus articulated grave concerns regarding the attack, citing a disruption of care that forced the hospital to transfer approximately 50 patients elsewhere, although 40 critical patients remained stranded due to the damage. He emphasized that medical facilities are entitled to protection under international humanitarian law, urging an end to assaults on healthcare.The Hamas-run health ministry condemned the attack vehemently, alleging that Israel's actions represented a "horrific crime" against a hospital full of vulnerable patients and medical staff. Statements of condemnation echoed not only from Palestinian authorities but also from international leaders, including UK Foreign Minister David Lammy, who stressed the dire consequences of targeting medical infrastructure in Gaza. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, expressed solidarity with the victims, reflecting on the appalling nature of attacking a Christian hospital during a significant religious observance. The recent air strike is a continuation of heightened conflict, following an unprecedented cross-border attack that occurred on October 7, 2023, resulting in extensive casualties and capturing of hostages.Since that time, Gaza has witnessed over 50,933 fatalities according to local health ministry reports, with a sharp rise in casualties reported after a renewed Israeli offensive began on March 18. Israeli sources assert that they are determined to expand military operations across Gaza in the unyielding fight against Hamas.
