Israeli Military Strikes Gaza Hospital Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Israeli military recently targeted the Ahli Arab Hospital in northern Gaza, leaving parts of the facility damaged while evacuation orders were issued to staff and patients. The region's health system is facing critical shortages and ongoing attacks as Israeli troops expand their control over southern Gaza.

The Israeli military conducted an assault on the Ahli Arab Hospital in northern Gaza early Sunday, targeting key areas of the facility, including a laboratory and pharmacy, following evacuation orders issued to patients and staff. This comes as Israeli troops have reported advancing their occupation of the southern Gaza Strip, thereby disrupting connections between vital Palestinian cities.

No deaths were reported directly from the hospital strike; however, the rushed evacuation led to the unfortunate passing of a child undergoing treatment for a severe head injury, as confirmed by the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, which manages the hospital. Video footage captured the aftermath of the attack, showcasing the destruction at the site located in Zeitoun.

The Ahli Arab Hospital has served as one of the last functioning pieces of Gaza's beleaguered health care system, which has suffered severely amidst the ongoing conflict that ignited after the Hamas-led offensive on Israel in October 2023. Reports from the World Health Organization indicate that 33 out of Gaza's 36 hospitals have sustained damage, with only 21 remaining partially operational. The organization also highlighted a critical shortage of medical supplies due to Israel's blockade on aid shipments, which has persisted for over six weeks.

Previously, the hospital compound had come under fire less than two weeks into the conflict when a missile struck a parking area used by families seeking refuge. Initial accusations from Hamas attributed the strike to Israel, but Israeli officials later claimed it resulted from a misfired rocket launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a faction in alliance with Hamas. U.S. intelligence later validated the Israeli account of the incident.

Regarding the latest assault, Israeli military officials took responsibility, asserting the hospital was serving as a Hamas command center, without providing concrete evidence. Both the defense forces and the Anglican Church confirmed that prior to the strike, Israeli soldiers contacted the hospital for an evacuation. As of now, neither Hamas nor the hospital's management has given statements addressing the allegations of Hamas activity at the healthcare facility.