Israel Launches Controversial Strikes On Gaza’s Sacred Sites

Missile merged with blue Israeli flag design — Weapons of mass destruction. Israel ICBM missile. War Background.

Israeli military strikes hit Gaza’s last operational hospital during Palm Sunday services, creating a scene of devastation as Christians were worshipping at a nearby historic church.

Quick Takes

Israeli airstrikes targeted al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital and damaged the adjacent St. Phillip’s Church during Palm Sunday observances.
The hospital was the last fully functional medical facility in Gaza City, operating for 143 years before being bombed for the fifth time since the conflict began.
Israeli Defense Forces claim the facility housed a Hamas command center, issuing a 20-minute evacuation warning before the strike.
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which manages the hospital, reported the destruction of the surgery building and oxygen generation station.
International organizations have condemned the attack, noting that targeting health facilities is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Attack During Holy Observance

Christians in Gaza were observing Palm Sunday at Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church, marking the beginning of Holy Week leading to Easter, when Israeli airstrikes hit the nearby al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital. The attack destroyed the hospital’s emergency department and severely damaged other sections, including the surgery building and oxygen generation station. The adjacent Saint Porphyrius Church, Gaza’s oldest church, also sustained significant damage during the assault, disrupting one of Christianity’s most sacred observances. Witnesses described a somber atmosphere at the Palm Sunday service, with joy notably absent from worshippers, especially children.

Military Justification and Timing

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the hospital was targeted because it allegedly housed a “command and control centre used by Hamas.” Military officials claimed they took measures to minimize civilian casualties, including issuing warnings and using precise munitions. According to local journalists, the IDF gave hospital staff approximately 20 minutes to evacuate before launching the attack. Reports indicate the strike occurred just 18 minutes after evacuation orders were issued, resulting in the death of at least three critically ill patients who could not be moved in time. The military action has raised serious questions about the timing and necessity of targeting a medical facility.

Healthcare System in Crisis

The al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital was the last fully functional hospital in Gaza City after others were destroyed during the ongoing conflict. Managed by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, the 143-year-old facility had been bombed five times since the war began in 2023. The World Health Organization condemned the attack, emphasizing that hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law. The strike comes amid reports that 30 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals have been bombed, leading to what health officials describe as a near-total collapse of the healthcare system in the region, leaving thousands of wounded and ill patients with minimal access to medical care.

Religious and International Condemnation

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem issued a strong condemnation of the missile attacks, specifically highlighting the targeting of the hospital on Palm Sunday. The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem joined in denouncing the attack, emphasizing the hospital’s role as a sanctuary of life and dignity. International reactions included criticism from UK Foreign Minister David Lammy and the Archbishop of York, who expressed grief over the attack’s timing during a significant Christian holiday. The Hamas-run government media office also condemned the assault, calling it a deliberate targeting of civilians and medical infrastructure.

Broader Conflict Context

The hospital bombing occurred against the backdrop of a devastating conflict that has claimed over 50,933 Palestinian lives in Gaza since hostilities began, with 1,563 fatalities reported since March 18 alone. On the same day as the hospital strike, Israeli forces reportedly demolished a statue of Saint George in southern Lebanon, actions that religious leaders claim violated both a ceasefire agreement and religious rights. Under international law, the targeting of health facilities and personnel is classified as a war crime, adding legal implications to the already complex situation and intensifying calls for accountability amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.