theglobalsun – An Israeli military strike on al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City killed five people, the Anglican Church, which operates the facility, confirmed. Among the dead were three journalists, a father accompanying his son to surgery, and another unidentified individual. The attack injured 30 others, including four hospital staff. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem strongly condemned the strike and labeled it a grave violation. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate accused Israel of committing a war crime by targeting media personnel.
Israeli Military Claims Targeted Command Centre Inside Hospital Grounds
The Israeli military stated it carried out a precise strike targeting a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist operating from a command centre located inside the hospital yard. The military did not provide specific evidence or name the individual targeted. It accused armed groups of using al-Ahli hospital for “terrorist activity,” alleging they cynically endanger civilians. However, international humanitarian law protects hospitals unless they are used for military purposes such as launching attacks or storing weapons. Medical staff at al-Ahli had previously reported damage from an Israeli strike in April. Which destroyed the hospital laboratory and emergency room.
Journalists Targeted Amid Global Calls for Press Access and Protection
The strike killed three journalists identified by the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate as Ismail Badah, Soliman Hajaj, and Samir al-Refai. Four other journalists were injured, two critically, including Imad Daloul and Ahmed Qalja. Journalists on the ground reported that Israeli drones attacked their media tent unexpectedly. Palestinian journalist Mohammed Ahmed described the attack as a deliberate attempt to silence the press. More than 130 global press freedom organizations demanded immediate international media access to Gaza and full protection for Palestinian journalists. Criticizing Israel’s long-standing refusal to grant independent access to the territory.
Aid Distribution Centres Reopen Amid Security Concerns and Aid Blockade
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed aid group, reopened two distribution centres after temporarily closing them for safety renovations. The closures followed deadly incidents near the sites, including shootings at crowds seeking aid in Rafah, which lies within an Israeli military zone. Israeli forces deny firing at civilians, claiming they targeted suspicious individuals who ignored warnings. The GHF operates with US private security contractors and aims to bypass the UN’s aid system, which many humanitarian groups reject for compromising neutrality. Gaza’s population faces severe hunger due to an extended Israeli blockade, only partially eased recently.
Rising Death Toll and Hostage Recovery Highlight Ongoing Conflict
Since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, the Israeli military has launched a broad campaign in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 54,677 Palestinians have died during the conflict. Recently, the Israeli military recovered the bodies of two Israeli-Americans who had been taken hostage to Gaza. The ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis continue to escalate, with frequent Israeli strikes hitting civilian areas and hospitals, and international organizations warning of catastrophic conditions for Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.
