The Anglican hospital in Gaza, Al-Ahli Hospital, which has been operating in Gaza since 1882, was hit by rockets at about 7.30 pm on Saturday evening, injuring four staff members, according to a statement from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.
Two upper floors were severely damaged by the strike, affecting the mammography and ultrasound departments the most. Four hospital staff working at the centre were injured by the blast and are receiving treatment for their injuries.
Anglicans around the globe support the hospital. They include Anglicans in Australia through ABM AID. A special appeal was launched for Al-Ahli Hospital last week:
www.abmission.org/appeals/emergency-appeals/al-ahli-hospital-emergency-appeal
The Al Ahli Arab Hospital is one of 22 hospitals in northern Gaza struggling to respond to the volatile situation and even before the rocket strike the hospital..
The team at the Ahli hospital will schedule its staff to ensure that the hospital is accessible 24 hours a day. To enable the Ahli to respond to the increasing need at this time, staff have called for urgent medications and other resources for an emergency response which will enable more people to access basic health care during this crisis.
ABM AID is asking for Anglcians to give generously.
Archbishop Hosam of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East writes:
“We have seen the rapid escalation of violence throughout the Holy Land: in the air attacks launched against Gaza and Central Israel, in the rioting between extremists in ethnically mixed cities, and in the continuing conflicts between protesters and police over the pending evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, of which Saint George’s Cathedral is a part. It is particularly disheartening that this violence erupted out of police disrespect of Muslim sacred sites and traditions in Jerusalem during the various religious feasts.
“We know from sad experience that violence and hatred will never lead to solutions to the deep ethnic and religious divisions that have afflicted this region now for a century.
“We therefore call upon the authorities on both sides to agree to an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict in order to end the rain of death and destruction that has had tragic consequences for thousands of individuals and families.
“We also call on Israeli authorities to restore order and calm within the ethnically mixed cities where rioting has broken out, so that the human and civil rights of all are protected equally.
“Finally, we call upon the United Nations and the international community to work with all parties to seriously address the underlying injustices and grievances that have led to this latest unrest in a recurring cycle of violence, working for a just and lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis that incorporates a viable Two-State Solution.
“In the meantime, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem is continuing its Christian mission of bringing healing to the wounded, relief to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and comfort to those who mourn the loss of loved ones.”
