The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, the last functional medical facility in Gaza City and its surrounding areas, was bombed by Israeli aircraft early Sunday morning, igniting widespread condemnation and calls for international intervention.

Reports from Al Mayadeen cite multiple evacuations of patients and medical workers just before the bombing, which caused extensive damage to critical areas within the hospital, including the emergency room, reception area, laboratory, and pharmacy. The attack follows a series of ongoing airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, culminating in strikes on educational institutions including Saad Bin Mua'th School and Abdullah al-Dahyan School.

The situation marks a grave moment for healthcare in Gaza, where the Ministry of Health previously reported that at least 471 Palestinians were killed and 342 injured during a prior attack on the hospital courtyard on October 17, 2023. The Gaza Government Media Office has urged the international community to condemn the latest assault, emphasizing the urgency of protecting remaining healthcare facilities. They highlighted that Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital serves over one million Palestinians and contains specialized medical departments essential for patient care.

In the wake of the bombing, Hamas labeled the event as a "new war crime" and alleged complicity by the United States, claiming that such attacks could not occur without American support. The organization criticized the inaction of the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, in addressing what they referred to as gross violations of international law.

Hamas called for immediate action from global political bodies, including Arab and Islamic states, urging them to intervene and halt the violence that has seen continued bloodshed in the region. The ongoing attacks underscore a systematic plan to dismantle Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, with the destruction of 34 hospitals documented as part of these efforts, leading to calls for accountability and urgent humanitarian support. (ILKHA)