An Israeli airstrike has hit the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, according to the health ministry controlled by Hamas. This attack has caused significant damage, destroying parts of the hospital, including its intensive care and surgery departments.
Witnesses reported seeing large flames and thick smoke rising from the hospital after missiles struck a two-story building. Video footage shared online showed people, including patients still in their beds, fleeing the scene in panic. The health ministry stated that the building was "completely destroyed," forcing both patients and staff to evacuate.
Hamas condemned the strike as a "horrific crime" and stated that it endangered the lives of many. The Israeli military has said it is looking into the incident. Reports from local journalists indicated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) contacted a doctor at the hospital, warning them to evacuate immediately. The doctor was reportedly told they had just 20 minutes to get everyone out to safety.
Footage captured during the early hours showed hospital staff and patients leaving the building, while many others, including women and children, were seen escaping from a courtyard where they had sought refuge.
Al-Ahli Hospital, once a small facility, is now the only operational hospital in Gaza City after other major medical centers were destroyed in ongoing conflict. The Hamas-run government media office condemned the attack, stating that Israel is committing a crime by targeting a facility that cares for hundreds of patients and medical staff.
This incident follows a previous attack on the same hospital in October 2023, which resulted in hundreds of deaths. At that time, Palestinian officials attributed the blast to an Israeli strike, while Israel claimed it was caused by a failed rocket launch from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.
The ongoing conflict escalated after a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis. In response, Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas. Since then, over 50,000 people have reportedly died in Gaza, according to the health ministry there.