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Impact of Israeli Airstrike on Gaza’s Al-Ahli Hospital
The recent Israeli airstrike on al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City has had devastating effects, including the destruction of its laboratory and significant damage to its emergency room, as reported by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has described the conditions for hospitals in Gaza as “beyond description,” particularly as this latest attack has rendered a major medical facility inoperable. Dr. Margaret Harris, a spokesperson for WHO, emphasized the ongoing attacks on healthcare facilities and healthcare workers, alongside a critical shortage of medical supplies due to the blockade imposed by Israel.
On Sunday, hospital staff at al-Ahli reported that an Israeli missile strike resulted in the destruction of the hospital’s laboratory and damage to the emergency room. While no immediate casualties were reported from the strike itself, the hospital mentioned that a child lost their life due to disruption in medical care stemming from the strike.
The Israeli military contended that the strike targeted a “command-and-control center” allegedly utilized by Hamas for orchestrating attacks. The Church of England governs the hospital and expressed profound grief and anger at the loss experienced by Palestinians, urging Israel to provide evidence supporting its claims regarding Hamas’s use of the facility.
A ceasefire in Gaza had ended when Israel resumed its air and ground operations four weeks prior, asserting that continued military action was necessary to compel Hamas to release its hostages.
Reports indicate that al-Ahli hospital was struck by two missiles shortly after midnight on Sunday, marking the fifth assault on the facility since the onset of the current conflict.
The Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem stated that the two-storey genetic laboratory was completely destroyed, with damage extending to the pharmacy and emergency department, while neighboring structures, including St. Philip’s Church, also sustained damage. Furthermore, the Israeli military reportedly issued a 20-minute warning to evacuate staff and patients before the strike happened.
Fortunately, there were no casualties directly from the strike. However, one child, who was previously injured, died due to complications arising from the hurried evacuation. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, confirmed that the al-Ahli’s director informed them about the total destruction of several critical facilities within the hospital.
As a direct result of the airstrike, the hospital was forced to transfer 50 patients to other facilities; however, 40 critically ill patients could not be relocated. Dr. Ghebreyesus reiterated the obligation under international humanitarian law to protect hospitals, stating that assaults on healthcare must cease immediately.
The Israeli foreign ministry described the operation as a “precise strike” aimed specifically at a building used by Hamas and asserted that no medical activities were ongoing there. They emphasized that an “early warning” was provided, claiming that the strike aimed to minimize additional damage to the hospital, which they alleged remained operational for ongoing medical treatments.
In response to the airstrike, Hamas denounced the attack as a “savage crime” and denied allegations that the hospital was being exploited for military purposes.
The Church of England’s House of Bishops expressed their dismay that hospitals have become combat zones in Gaza. They called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack while also criticizing the brief evacuation warning as an infringement on fundamental human rights.
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, a WHO representative, indicated that al-Ahli is unable to accept new patients pending repairs, which could have significant repercussions for trauma patients in need of care. He noted that al-Ahli was a crucial trauma hospital, possessing the only functioning CT scanner north of Wadi Gaza.
Medical Aid for Palestinians highlighted concerns voiced by an orthopedic surgeon at al-Ahli, who lamented the drastic reduction in the quality of care available to the remaining patients, equating it to a “hostel” level of service. The surgeon, Dr. Ahmed al-Shurafa, explained the inability to conduct surgeries, citing the lack of laboratory diagnostics and essential pharmacy support following the attack.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stressed the critical shortage of medical supplies, warning that this jeopardizes the lives of many Gazans requiring health services. Dr. Peeperkorn further confirmed that the stockpiling of essential medical supplies by WHO has been hindered by the Israeli military’s blockade on transfers between regions of Gaza, resulting in striking shortages of supplies like surgical gloves and gowns.
The military offensive launched by Israel is a response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in numerous casualties and hostages being taken. Since that time, more than 50,980 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Previous ceasefire negotiations, which took place in January, temporarily alleviated tensions, allowing for the release of hostages and humanitarian aid. However, renewed hostilities resumed in March as Israel accused Hamas of failing to cooperate with terms for extending the ceasefire.
A current Hamas delegation left Cairo without reaching any agreements with Egyptian mediators, underscoring the ongoing stalemate in negotiations for a new ceasefire. Officials indicated that the lack of progress stemmed from Israel’s unwillingness to commit to halting military actions in Gaza.
In light of these developments, families of the hostages, represented by the Tikvah Forum, were informed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential negotiations that might allow the release of a limited number of hostages.
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