The Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs Al-Ahili hospital, said the medical building has been hit five times since the start of the war in November 2023
A pre-dawn Israeli airstrike hit a hospital in northern Gaza early Sunday, forcing patients to quickly evacuate after staff said they had received a warning only 20 minutes before the attack.
The strike hit Al-Ahili hospital in Gaza City. One patient, a girl, died during the evacuation because medical staff were unable to provide urgent care, the Hamas-run ministry of health said.
The health facility, one of the few functioning hospitals in Gaza City, is run by the Diocese of Jerusalem, which condemned the attack.
In a statement, the diocese said twin strikes damaged several buildings including the pharmacy and emergency departments.
„A mere twenty minutes prior to the attack, the Israeli army ordered all patients, employees and displaced people to immediately evacuate the hospital premises prior to its bombing“, the statement said. „We thank God that there were no injuries or deaths as a result of the bombing.“
The diocese said the hospital has been hit five times since the start of the war in November 2023 – „this time on the morning of Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week.“ Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus‘ entry into Jerusalem.
„We call upon all governments and people of goodwill to intervene to stop all kinds of attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions“, it said. „We pray and call for the end of this horrific war and the suffering of so many.
