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Gaza Hospital Partially Destroyed in Israeli Airstrike Amid Escalating Conflict
Gaza City – Part of a hospital in Gaza City was decimated by Israeli airstrikes in the early hours of Sunday, according to local health authorities. This incident marks the latest in a series of assaults on healthcare facilities, exacerbating the already fragile health infrastructure in the enclave as Israel intensifies its military operations in Gaza following the breakdown of last month’s ceasefire. The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital was impacted in this recent attack, raising concerns about the safety of Palestinian civilians and the ability to provide essential medical care.
No Casualties Reported at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital
Gaza health officials reported no casualties resulting from the strike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. Patients and medical personnel had been evacuated subsequent to orders issued by the Israeli military. Officials stated that a structure within the hospital complex sustained complete destruction.
Visual Evidence of the Strike
An image captured during the event depicted an intense flash illuminating the night sky as a missile made impact, briefly engulfing the hospital area in flames.
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Israeli Military Statement
The Israeli military asserted that the targeted compound was utilized by militants for planning and executing attacks. They claimed to have implemented measures to minimize harm to civilians prior to the strike, including the issuance of advance notifications. However, no evidence was provided to substantiate the claims of militant activity at the hospital.
Hamas Condemns the Attack
Hamas denounced the strike as “a new escalation of criminality” and accused Israel of conducting a “systematic series of attacks” targeting hospitals and educational institutions. They released a list alleging 36 hospitals across Gaza have been attacked by Israel since the commencement of the current hostilities.
Gaza’s Healthcare System on the Brink
The sustained Israeli bombardment has severely crippled Gaza’s hospitals, significantly impeding, if not completely preventing, access to basic and critical medical assistance for Palestinians. In December, the United Nations Human Rights Office issued a statement indicating that Israeli attacks had pushed Gaza’s healthcare system to the “verge of total collapse.” A separate U.N. report in February indicated that at least 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, along with 60% of residences and 65% of roadways, had been destroyed.
Recent Attacks on Healthcare and Humanitarian Aid
The prior week, an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital Complex in Khan Younis struck a press tent, resulting in fatalities and injuries, including Yousef Al-Khozindar, a journalist working with NBC News.
Furthermore, the Israeli government has enforced a month-long blockade restricting the entry of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid, exacerbating severe shortages faced by Palestinians as essential supplies dwindle.
Past Incidents at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital
In October 2023, a devastating explosion in the parking area of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, a medical facility managed by Christian organizations, resulted in a large number of deaths, estimated between 200 and 300. This incident sparked widespread international condemnation at the time as the first major recorded attack impacting a health facility during the present conflict.
Hamas attributed the October explosion to Israeli actions, while Israel asserted it was caused by a misfired rocket launched by a militant faction within Gaza.
Context of Ongoing Conflict
The October 2023 explosion followed shortly after the October 7, 2023, attacks led by Hamas, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities in southern Israel and the abduction of around 250 hostages.
Since then, over 50,900 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing offensive, as reported by health officials in the Hamas-governed territory. This figure represents over 2% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
According to officials, more than 1,500 of these deaths have occurred since March 18, when Israel recommenced its offensive in the Gaza Strip after the ceasefire concluded.