Gaza Hospital Damaged A major hospital in Gaza City sustained significant damage early Sunday following an Israeli airstrike, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
The strike targeted the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital—also known as Ahli Arab Hospital—marking yet another blow to the region’s already fragile healthcare infrastructure.
The Gaza hospital damaged in the strike was reportedly the last functioning medical facility in northern Gaza.
Civil defence officials stated that the attack occurred shortly after Israeli forces issued a warning to evacuate the facility.
“The bombing led to the destruction of the surgery building and the oxygen generation station for the intensive care units,” a spokesperson for the agency confirmed.
Footage circulating online showed the moment the facility was hit, with the hospital’s emergency department and reception area visibly destroyed.
While no casualties were reported, the physical loss of critical infrastructure has left the remaining healthcare services in Gaza in a dire state.
Gaza Hospital Damaged Following Evacuation Notice
According to civil defence officials, the Gaza hospital damaged in the airstrike was hit “minutes after the (Israeli) army’s warning to evacuate.” Medical staff had been working urgently to relocate patients, including those in critical condition, before the facility was struck.
The Israeli military confirmed to AFP that it was aware of the incident and said it is currently investigating the matter.
Hospital Protection Under International Law
Under the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, hospitals are protected sites and must not be targeted during conflict. However, this latest Gaza hospital damage report adds to growing concerns over repeated attacks on medical facilities since the war began in October 2023.
Al-Ahli Hospital had previously suffered a fatal strike on October 17, 2023, when an explosion in its car park killed scores of civilians. Health officials say Sunday’s attack has now rendered the hospital largely non-operational.
Impact on Gaza’s Healthcare System
The World Health Organization reported on March 28 that only 22 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals were still partially functional. With Al-Ahli now severely compromised, health authorities warn that access to emergency care in northern Gaza has been critically reduced.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Saturday that at least 1,563 Palestinians have been killed since March 18, when a temporary ceasefire collapsed. This brings the total reported Palestinian death toll since the conflict began to 50,933.
Accusations and International Reaction
Hamas’s press office released a statement Sunday accusing Israeli forces of deliberately targeting healthcare institutions, including Al-Ahli, through “bombing, arson, and destruction.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies have raised urgent alarms over the deteriorating health conditions in Gaza. Many warn that continued strikes on hospitals could lead to a full collapse of the territory’s medical response capabilities.
