An Israeli airstrike has reportedly destroyed parts of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, according to a statement by Hamas. The group claims the strike hit the intensive care and surgery units of the facility, which has been one of the last functioning hospitals in the war-torn city.
Footage shared online shows fire and smoke rising from a two-story building. Some patients, still in their beds, were seen trying to flee. Medical staff and displaced families also ran for safety as the building caught fire.
Hospital Staff Received Evacuation Call Before Strike
A local journalist at the scene said an officer from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called a doctor at the hospital shortly before the strike. The doctor was told to evacuate all patients and civilians immediately.
“You have only 20 minutes to leave,” the officer reportedly warned.
The journalist also confirmed that staff and patients rushed to evacuate while it was still dark, adding that dozens of women, children, and other civilians had been sheltering in the hospital’s courtyard.
Al-Ahli One of Gaza City’s Last Hospitals
Before the conflict escalated, Al-Ahli was a small hospital. Now, it’s the only facility still operating in Gaza City. Many other hospitals, including the large Al-Shifa medical complex and several clinics in the north, have been destroyed or shut down.
The Hamas-run government media office condemned the attack, calling it a “horrific crime” against a facility that still houses hundreds of patients and staff.
No Reported Casualties, Investigation Underway
So far, no casualties have been officially reported, according to Gaza’s civil emergency service. The Israeli military said it is reviewing the incident and has not yet confirmed whether it was responsible for the strike.
Tensions High After Previous Hospital Blast
This latest strike comes months after a deadly explosion in October 2023 at the same hospital killed hundreds. That incident sparked international outrage.
Palestinian authorities blamed that earlier blast on an Israeli airstrike. Israel, however, said it was caused by a misfired rocket launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad—a claim the group has denied.
Context: Israel-Hamas War Escalates
The conflict escalated after Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The assault left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.
In response, Israel launched a military campaign aimed at destroying Hamas infrastructure. Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that more than 50,933 people have been killed in the territory. Of those, 1,563 deaths occurred after Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, 2025.
The IDF says it is targeting Hamas militants and infrastructure, but international groups have raised concerns about the growing number of civilian deaths and destruction of essential services.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The damage to Al-Ahli adds pressure to an already overwhelmed healthcare system. International aid organizations warn that without functional hospitals, thousands of civilians are at risk. Many are now living in makeshift shelters with limited access to food, clean water, or medical aid.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations have repeatedly called for safe zones and protection of medical facilities under international law.
