The outrage surrounding Israel’s recent airstrike on a hospital and church in Gaza on Palm Sunday underscores a deepening humanitarian crisis.
At a Glance
- Christians in Gaza commemorated Palm Sunday amid devastation following an Israeli airstrike.
- The airstrike destroyed the emergency department of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.
- The attack points to a broader issue of targeting healthcare facilities.
- The IDF claimed insufficient evidence linking the hospital to Hamas activities.
Airstrike on Religious Sites
An Israeli airstrike devastated the al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City and damaged St. Phillip’s Church. This occurred on Palm Sunday, further impacting the community already battling challenges. The hospital, run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, was the last fully operational in Gaza before becoming non-operational after the attack.
The Palm Sunday service at Saint Porphyrius Church, the oldest in Gaza, was marked by somber reflections on the destruction of the nearby hospital, highlighting ongoing Israeli aggression. Amidst these ruins, eyewitness accounts claim insufficient evacuation warnings were issued.
IDF’s Stance and International Repercussions
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted the hospital was a Hamas command center. Despite this claim, their narrative faces criticism due to the lack of substantial evidence. Reports confirmed that fires broke out in several departments of the hospital. Critically ill patients suffered greatly, with at least three fatalities reported following the poorly-timed evacuation advisory.
The attack symbolizes a broader pattern of targeting healthcare facilities within Gaza. Such acts, according to international law, constitute war crimes, highlighting the legal and ethical controversies surrounding this issue. These incidents compound the healthcare system’s collapse.
Religious Condemnation and Global Reaction
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem condemned the strike, labeling it aggression against faith and healing establishments during a sacred time. International religious figures are voicing their disapproval. The attack’s timing with Palm Sunday amplifies its significance and has attracted wide condemnation.
This tragic incident fits into a pattern of targeting religious symbols and structures, seen also in the demolition of a statue of Saint George in southern Lebanon the same day. Amid the turmoil, over 50,933 people have perished since the conflict’s onset.
