Gaza City, Tensions escalated in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Sunday after two Israeli missiles struck the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital, shattering its emergency and reception departments. Health workers were forced to evacuate patients in the dead of night following a phone call warning from someone identifying as Israeli security.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, no casualties were reported in the hospital strike. However, the destruction rendered the hospital – a key medical center operated by the Anglican Church – completely inoperable.
> “Hundreds of patients and injured people had to be evacuated in the middle of the night. Many are now out on the streets without medical care, which puts their lives at risk,” said ministry spokesperson Khalil Al-Deqran.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, claiming the hospital complex was being used by Hamas militants to plan attacks. They added that precautions were taken to minimize civilian harm.
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“It was terrifying.”
Injured patient Mohammed Abu Nasser described the horror: “The scene was scary, from night until now, I haven’t slept a single minute. All night, glass shattered around us.”
The Baptist Church in Jerusalem reported that the evacuation call came just 20 minutes before missiles hit the Genetic Laboratory, also damaging the Pharmacy and Emergency Department.
> “We call upon all governments and people of goodwill to intervene and stop attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions,” the Church said in a statement.
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Wider Conflict and More Casualties
Elsewhere in Gaza, 14 more Palestinians were killed in separate Israeli strikes, including the police chief of Khan Younis and six brothers whose car was targeted in Deir Al-Balah.
The strike comes amid renewed ceasefire talks in Cairo, with Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. mediating between Israeli and Hamas leaders.
Israel continues to accuse Hamas of using civilian infrastructure—including hospitals—as shields. Hamas denies the allegations.
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Ongoing Toll of the War
The war began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to over 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli figures.
Since then, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, per Gaza’s health authorities. The enclave remains devastated, with most of its population displaced and critical infrastructure reduced to rubble.
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