Al Ahli Hospital, a vital lifeline for the city of Gaza, has been “completely destroyed,” according to the Ministry of Health. This devastation has resulted in the “forced displacement of patients and hospital personnel,” exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.The destruction of Al Ahli leaves Gaza with even fewer options for medical care, as it was the last functioning welfare installation after the Shifa medical complex and others in the northern part of the strip were rendered unusable.

emergency services ensure that there were no victims in the attack against the health center.

Conflicting Accounts Emerge

While the Ministry of Health decries the hospital’s destruction, the israel Defense Forces (IDF) offer a contrasting narrative.The IDF asserts that they had “taken measures to mitigate the damage to civilians or the hospital complex, including the emission of advance warnings in the area of ​​terrorist infrastructure, the use of precise ammunition and air surveillance.” This statement raises questions about the circumstances leading to the hospital’s destruction and the extent to which civilian lives were protected.

Eyewitness Testimony: A Race Against Time

Adding another layer to the narrative,a local journalist who worked at the hospital reported that the IDF contacted a doctor in the emergency department,issuing an urgent evacuation order. The journalist stated that the IDF called a doctor who operated in the emergency department and ordered him to evacuate the hospital immediately.

All patients and displaced persons should move away at a safe distance.

The doctor’s testimony further reveals the urgency of the situation:

they have 20 minutes to leave.
Uniformed man who made the call, according to the doctor’s testimony.

Images circulating on social media depict the chaotic scene as staff and patients fled the building under the cover of darkness. Dozens of Palestinians, including vulnerable women and children, were seen seeking refuge in the hospital’s patio before being forced to flee once more.

Accusations and Counter-Accusations

Palestinian authorities have accused Israel of deliberately targeting hospitals, claiming that Israel is committing an atrocious crime by attacking the hospital Al Ahli, which houses hundreds of patients and medical staff. They allege a systematic plan to dismantle the remaining health infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, asserting that 34 hospitals have been put out of service. Thes accusations are particularly sensitive given the protections afforded to civilian facilities, including hospitals, under international human rights conventions and treaties during armed conflicts.

Israel has been accusing Hamas of using hospitals, schools and other shelters such as facades for their operations centers.

Israel has countered these accusations by alleging that Hamas uses hospitals, schools, and other protected sites as cover for their operations. This claim, while not explicitly stated in this article, is a recurring theme in the conflict and adds complexity to the situation.

A History of Tragedy: The October 2023 Incident

This is not the first time al Ahli Hospital has been at the center of controversy.In October 2023, an attack on the same hospital resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. The Palestinian authorities attributed the explosion to an Israeli attack, while Israel claimed it was caused by a misfired rocket from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, which denied responsibility. The conflicting accounts surrounding the October incident underscore the challenges in determining accountability in the midst of conflict.

Context: The Ongoing Conflict

The destruction of Al Ahli Hospital occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli army initiated a campaign to dismantle Hamas following an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7,2023,which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages. Since the beginning of hostilities, more than 50,933 people have died in Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health of the Territory. Since March 18, when Israel resumed their offensive in the Gaza Strip, 1,563 have died, according to the health authorities of the strip.