Recent events in Gaza have brought renewed focus on the devastating impact of ongoing conflict on the region's healthcare infrastructure and civilian population. An Israeli airstrike on Sunday targeted the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, resulting in significant damage and forcing the temporary closure of the facility. This incident, along with the broader military campaign, has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

According to reports from CNN and Xinhua, the Israeli military stated that the strike targeted a "Hamas command and control center" allegedly located within the hospital compound. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) issued a joint statement claiming that Hamas operatives were using the facility to coordinate attacks. However, Hamas has denied these allegations, and the Palestinian Ministry of Health has condemned the strike.

The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, run by the Anglican church in Jerusalem, sustained extensive damage, particularly to its emergency room, reception area, and a two-story Genetic Laboratory. The Jerusalem diocese reported that this was the fifth time the hospital had been struck since October 2023. A medical staff member, speaking anonymously to Xinhua, indicated that the hospital's surgical operations department and an oxygen generation unit were destroyed, rendering the facility unable to operate. The hospital had been providing shelter to patients, injured civilians, and hundreds of displaced residents.

The attack prompted a chaotic evacuation, during which a boy with a head injury died, according to the Anglican church in Jerusalem. Munir al-Barsh, director general of Health Services in Gaza, described the evacuation as taking place under ongoing bombardment, with witnesses reporting smoke, fire, and falling debris. Mohammed Abu Naser, a patient at the hospital, told CNN that he feared for his life during the strike and expressed the urgent need for treatment abroad.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the shrinking humanitarian access in Gaza, which is obstructing its ability to resupply hospitals and provide life-saving care. The WHO reported that missions to Al-Ahli and the Indonesian hospital had been denied by Israeli authorities. Samer Attar, an American doctor with the Palestinian American Bridge working at Al-Ahli, described the situation as "desperate," highlighting the exhaustion, hunger, and physical and psychological wounds suffered by the people in Gaza.

The Israeli military stated that it used precision-guided munitions and conducted aerial surveillance to minimize risks to civilians and medical staff, adding that prior warnings had been issued. However, the Hamas-run government media office in Gaza condemned the strike as a "war crime," holding Israel and the United States responsible. Local health authorities have appealed to international organizations to protect medical facilities and personnel.

In addition to the Al-Ahli hospital strike, reports indicate that the Israeli military is extending its ground operations deep into Gaza, creating a buffer zone and pushing civilians into smaller areas. The military announced it seized the Morag corridor, cutting off Rafah from the rest of Gaza. The United Nations estimates that some 400,000 people have been told to move in the past three weeks, with hospitals often serving as shelters.

Another airstrike on a building in the Deir al Balah area in central Gaza was reported, with the IDF claiming it targeted a Hamas control center. Dr. Khalil Al-Daqran, spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, reported that three bodies were brought to the hospital after the strike, and a separate strike on a vehicle killed seven people, six of whom were brothers.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering number of casualties. As of Sunday, health authorities in Gaza reported that the Palestinian death toll since October 7, 2023, has reached 50,944, with 116,156 wounded. Rescue efforts continue to be hampered by ongoing hostilities.

Meanwhile, efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas continue. A proof-of-life video of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander was released by Hamas, in which he appealed to President Donald Trump for help. Alexander's family has requested privacy and asked the media to share a screenshot of him from the video rather than the video itself.

The situation in Gaza remains critical, with healthcare facilities under immense pressure and the civilian population facing dire conditions. The international community continues to call for de-escalation, protection of civilians, and increased humanitarian access to the region.