Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Last Operating Hospital
hospital in Gaza damaged in Attack; IDF Claims Hamas Presence
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GAZA CITY – An overnight strike damaged the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, according to hospital staff. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the attack, asserting the hospital served as a Hamas command center, though they have not provided evidence to support this claim.
Hospital employees reported receiving less than 30 minutes’ notice to evacuate patients, some critically ill or injured, before the strike occurred. One physician at the hospital stated that a child with a head injury died during the chaotic evacuation, according to a post on X.
The Anglican Church, which operates the hospital, also confirmed the attack.
Doctor Recounts Evacuation Chaos
Dr. Sam Attar, an American physician working at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, described being awakened by a nurse urging him to flee. “He was raging, screamed that I had to run. When I went out in the emergency room, it was completely empty. People ran away from the hospital,” Attar said.
Attar stated another nurse informed him they had been instructed to evacuate by the IDF.despite this, Attar chose to remain at the hospital.
“Everyone thoght I had an answer, but I had just decided that I would be there,” Attar said. He and the nurse waited for approximately half an hour before an explosion occurred.
And then there was a high explosion.The roof partially collapsed over us. Straumen went.We stayed, and the stream came back. The ambulance workers risked their lives.They picked up people on the street and took them to the nearest hospitals.
“The emergency room, the ambulance test, the patient tent, the blood bank and the chemicalabben … everything is destroyed and out of service. Now we pick up the bits,” Attar added.
Hospital’s capacity Severely Impacted
Reports indicate this was the fifth strike against Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital since the start of the conflict. Prior to the recent escalation, the hospital functioned as a small clinic without a dedicated emergency room.
With al-Shifa and other major hospitals in Gaza City either completely or partially destroyed, Al-Ahli had become the best-equipped and functioning hospital in the area, opening an emergency room to meet the growing need. Injured individuals from earlier strikes in Gaza City had been transported to Al-Ahli for treatment.
al Jazeera journalist Hani Mahmoud, reporting from the scene, stated that Palestinians in northern Gaza are now without a fully operational hospital. Surgeon Fadel Naim posted on X that meaningful portions of the hospital, including the emergency room, were destroyed. “This affects more than 100 patients and more health professionals,” Naim wrote.
Anglican Church Condemns Attack
The Anglican Church in Jerusalem, which oversees Al-Ahli Baptist hospital, released a statement expressing horror at the strike, which occurred on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy week for Christians.
“The Anglican church in Jerusalem strongly condemns today’s missile attack on the Ahli hospital,” the statement read. A nearby church was also damaged in the attack.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Al-Ahli Hospital Attack in Gaza: Your FAQs Answered
This article dives into the recent attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, providing crucial details, eyewitness accounts, and the devastating impact of the strike.We’ll break down the key aspects of the event to give you a clear understanding of the situation.
Q: What happened at Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City?
A: On an unspecified date, Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City was struck in an overnight attack. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike. According to reports from hospital staff and the Anglican Church, which operates the hospital, the damage was severe.
Q: What damage was sustained in the strike?
A: The attack caused notable damage to Al-Ahli Baptist hospital. According to Dr. Sam Attar, an American physician working at the hospital, the emergency room, ambulance services, patient tent, blood bank, and other essential areas were destroyed or rendered out of service. The roof partially collapsed,and the hospital’s ability to treat patients was severely impacted.
Q: What is the IDF’s clarification for the attack?
A: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed their involvement in the strike. Though, they asserted that the hospital served as a Hamas command centre. They have not provided any evidence to support this claim.
Q: How did the hospital staff and patients react to the attack?
A: Hospital employees were given short notice—less than 30 minutes—to evacuate patients. The situation was described as chaotic,with critically ill or injured patients among those being moved. One physician reported that a child with a head injury died during the evacuation. According to Dr. Attar, the evacuation was happening in a panicked timeframe.
Q: What was the experience of being present at the hospital during the attack?
A: Dr. sam Attar, an American physician, decided to stay back after the evacuation notice. After half an hour of waiting, a high explosion took place, causing the roof to partially collapse on him. He and another nurse stayed in the hospital and witnessed the aftermath. Ambulance workers were seen returning to pick up injured patients from the streets in the aftermath of the strike.
Q: Why is the targeting of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital particularly concerning?
A: This was reportedly the fifth strike against Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital as the start of the conflict. Further, Al-Ahli had become the best-equipped and functioning hospital in Gaza City after al-Shifa and other major hospitals were destroyed. Thus, its destruction severely impacts the ability to provide medical care to injured individuals, including those from earlier strikes on the city.
Q: How has the attack impacted healthcare in Gaza?
A: With Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital severely damaged, Palestinians in northern Gaza are now without a fully operational hospital. The emergency room,a crucial facility for treating urgent cases,has been destroyed. Surgeon Fadel Naim indicated that this attack impacts more than 100 patients and many medical professionals.
Q: What is the stance of the Anglican Church on this attack?
A: The anglican Church in Jerusalem, which oversees Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, released a statement condemning the missile strike. They expressed horror at the attack, particularly given that it occurred on Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week for Christians.
Q: Has any other structure besides the hospital been damaged?
A: Yes, a church affiliated with the hospital was also damaged in the attack.
Q: What are the sources of the details presented in this article?
A: This article is based on reports from hospital staff, the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, and journalists on the ground. Sources include the Associated Press (AP), Jehad Alshrafi, AFP / NTB, and Sam Attar’s personal account.
Q: What is the overall impact of this event?
A: The attack on al-Ahli Baptist Hospital has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, impacting the wounded individuals, medical professionals and civilians in Gaza. The destruction of essential healthcare infrastructure has severely affected the ability of hospitals to treat the wounded and save lives.
Conclusion:
The attack on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in gaza city is a tragic event affecting healthcare.We hope the answers above provided a clearer understanding of the events. Continued developments will be updated, and more information shared as it becomes available.