The recent Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s Al-Ahli Arab Hospital on Palm Sunday has intensified global debate over Israel’s military actions in the region. The attack damaged critical hospital infrastructure, including its genetic lab, pharmacy, and emergency department, forcing patients into the streets during a hurried evacuation. Three deaths occurred during the evacuation, including a 12-year-old boy being treated for a head injury. The strike marks the fifth time the hospital has been targeted since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023.
Al-Ahli, operated by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, has been a lifeline for Gaza’s civilians, serving as one of the few functional medical facilities in northern Gaza. It treated 300 patients daily and performed 18–20 surgeries despite operating at double its bed capacity. The hospital had previously survived a devastating October 2023 courtyard explosion that killed hundreds, though casualty figures remain disputed.
– : The UN, EU, and religious leaders criticized the Palm Sunday attack as a violation of international law. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem called it part of a “campaign of genocide” targeting Gaza’s healthcare system. Ireland’s Prime Minister labeled it “appalling,” while the UK’s Foreign Secretary deemed Israel’s repeated strikes “deplorable”.
– : Israel claims the hospital housed a Hamas command center, though no evidence has been publicly provided. This aligns with prior assertions that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, argue such claims lack credibility and highlight Israel’s broader pattern of targeting hospitals.
Calls to classify Israel’s actions as genocide cite the destruction of 33 out of 36 Gaza hospitals and a Palestinian death toll exceeding 50,000 since October 2023. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes, while the International Court of Justice is reviewing a genocide case. However, Israel and supporters argue the term “genocide” misrepresents a complex conflict rooted in self-defense against Hamas, which initiated hostilities with its October 7 attacks.
The strike has deepened divisions:
– : Hamas and advocacy groups accuse the U.S. of enabling Israel’s campaign through military aid.
– : Palestinian Christians condemned the timing of the attack on a sacred holiday, calling it an affront to religious freedom.
– : Organizations like Medical Aid for Palestinians urge an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel, warning that Gaza’s healthcare collapse will escalate civilian suffering.
While Israel maintains its actions target Hamas, the repeated strikes on critical infrastructure and rising civilian casualties have fueled global scrutiny. The Al-Ahli bombing underscores the tension between military objectives and humanitarian protections in urban warfare.
