Israeli Airstrike Devastates Christian Hospital In Gaza

Israeli flag flying over Jerusalem cityscape and Dome.

The Israeli military destroyed Gaza City’s al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital and St. Phillip’s Church during Holy Week, leaving a crucial void in healthcare services and causing distress among the Christian community in the war-torn region.

Key Takeaways

The al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital, operating for 143 years and managed by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, was the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City before its destruction.
Israeli forces struck the hospital claiming it housed a Hamas “command and control centre,” an assertion that lacks supporting evidence and has been widely disputed.
The attack occurred just 18 minutes after evacuation orders were issued, reportedly resulting in the deaths of critically ill patients.
The World Health Organization condemned the attack, emphasizing that targeting health facilities is protected under international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime.
The strike occurred during Holy Week as Christians in Gaza were commemorating Palm Sunday, adding to the symbolic significance of the destruction.

Critical Healthcare Infrastructure Destroyed

The destruction of al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital marks a significant blow to Gaza’s already crippled healthcare system. The facility, which had been operating for 143 years, was the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City after others had been damaged or destroyed in previous strikes. The attack severely damaged multiple sections of the hospital, including the complete destruction of the surgery building and the oxygen generation station, critical infrastructure needed to sustain patient care in the besieged region.

According to multiple sources, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders just 18 minutes before the strike, giving hospital staff and patients minimal time to respond. Reports indicate that at least three critically ill patients died as a result of the attack. The IDF claimed the hospital was targeted because it housed a “command and control centre used by Hamas,” though this claim has been contested by hospital administrators and international observers.

Religious Significance and Timing

The timing of the attack during Holy Week, a sacred period for Christians leading up to Easter, has intensified criticism from religious leaders worldwide. The strike occurred on Palm Sunday as Christians in Gaza were gathering at Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church to commemorate the beginning of Holy Week. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem issued a strong condemnation of the attack, highlighting the sacred nature of both the hospital’s mission and the timing of its destruction.

The atmosphere at Palm Sunday services was described as somber, with joy noticeably absent among worshippers, especially children. The adjacent Saint Porphyrius Church, the oldest church in Gaza, also sustained significant damage from the airstrike. This combination of attacks on religious and medical facilities during one of Christianity’s holiest periods has been viewed by many as particularly troubling.

International Condemnation

The World Health Organization has condemned the attack, emphasizing that hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law. The UK Foreign Minister David Lammy also expressed condemnation, as did the Archbishop of York, who specifically highlighted the grievous nature of such an attack occurring on Palm Sunday. The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement condemning the strike and underscoring the hospital’s role as a sanctuary of life and dignity.

Reports indicate that 30 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals have now been bombed since the beginning of the conflict, leading to what international health organizations describe as a near-total collapse of the healthcare system. Under international humanitarian law, the intentional targeting of health facilities and personnel is classified as a war crime, a point emphasized by multiple international organizations in their statements following the attack.

Broader Context of the Conflict

The destruction of al-Ahli Hospital comes amid a continuing escalation of the conflict in Gaza. Over 50,933 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, with 1,563 fatalities reported just since March 18. The IDF has maintained that it takes measures to minimize civilian harm, including issuing warnings and using precise munitions, though the effectiveness of these measures has been questioned by humanitarian organizations given the high civilian casualty rate.

The hospital had already been bombed four times since the war began in 2023, making this the fifth attack on the facility. Each strike has further degraded the capacity of Gaza’s medical system to respond to the mounting humanitarian crisis. The destruction of this historic hospital, which has served the community for nearly a century and a half, represents not just the loss of critical medical infrastructure but also a significant cultural and historical landmark for the people of Gaza.