CAIRO. A major hospital in Gaza was hit by two Israeli missiles early Sunday, severely damaging its emergency department and forcing a mass evacuation of patients, according to medics and Palestinian health officials.
The Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, a facility run by the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, is now out of operation following the strikes. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the attack occurred shortly after a phone call from someone identifying as Israeli security, warning of an imminent strike.
“Hundreds of patients and injured people had to be evacuated in the middle of the night, and many of them are now out in the streets without medical care, which puts their lives at risk,” said ministry spokesperson Khalil Al-Deqran.
No casualties were reported from the strike.
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike, stating that it had targeted Hamas fighters allegedly using the hospital compound to coordinate attacks. “The compound was used by Hamas terrorists as a cover for their operations,” the military said in a statement, adding that precautionary steps were taken “to reduce harm to civilians.”
Hamas denied the accusations and called for an international investigation into the incident.
Reuters video footage from the scene showed extensive damage to the church within the hospital compound and patients who were unable to flee still inside.
The airstrike coincided with renewed efforts to secure a ceasefire, as Hamas leaders participated in talks in Cairo, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The negotiations aim to break a deadlock in the truce efforts between Israel and Hamas.
Al-Ahli Hospital had previously served as a vital refuge for Gaza’s war-wounded and sick as the conflict continues. Its shutdown comes at a critical moment when access to medical care remains severely limited across the Gaza Strip.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
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- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
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