Israel intensified its air campaign across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including a strike on Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City that left extensive damage, disrupted emergency services, and added to the mounting civilian toll in the coastal enclave.
At least 21 people were killed in the wave of attacks, including children, as Israeli forces vowed to broaden their operations in Gaza. According to Dr Fadel Naim, director of Al-Ahli Hospital — operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem — the emergency room, pharmacy, and adjoining buildings were severely damaged, affecting over 100 patients and numerous staff.
“One patient, a girl, died during the evacuation following an Israeli warning because staff were unable to provide urgent care,” Gaza’s Health Ministry reported. Israel claimed it targeted a Hamas command and control centre at the site but did not furnish evidence; Hamas has denied the allegation.
The Episcopal Diocese condemned the hospital strike, noting it came on Palm Sunday, marking the start of Holy Week — the most sacred time in the Christian calendar. Despite the surrounding destruction, some worshippers gathered in Gaza City’s churches for subdued observances.
Associated Press footage showed Al-Ahli Hospital's roof caved in amid rubble. Patients were seen sleeping outdoors after being evacuated. “Nothing was left safe inside the hospital, or all over Gaza,” said Mohammad Abu Nasser, a wounded man observing the ruins from his bed.
The Health Ministry said the hospital was temporarily out of service, with patients moved to other facilities. The aid organisation Medical Aid for Palestinians said this was the fifth attack on Al-Ahli since the war began.
Although hospitals are afforded special protection under international humanitarian law, several have been struck by Israel, which accuses Hamas of using them for military cover. In March, Israel struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza’s largest southern medical facility, killing two people and causing a large blaze.
Later on Sunday, a strike on a vehicle in Deir al-Balah killed at least seven, including six brothers who worked for a local charity distributing food, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. “For what sin were they killed?” asked their grieving father, Ibrahim Abu Mahadi. The Israeli military stated the strike targeted the deputy head of a Hamas sniper unit.
Another afternoon airstrike on a residence in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza killed at least seven, including two women. A pregnant woman, Alaa Manoun, was rescued from the rubble, only to learn that her husband, youngest daughter, and mother had died. Her two other daughters, aged 4 and 7, were wounded.
“No scan was available, since the only machine in northern Gaza was at Al-Ahli Hospital,” a doctor treating her said.
“There is no resistance, there is no Qassam, no Hamas, there is no one here. It's only civilians here,” said Abdallah Dardouna, a neighbour surveying the carnage.
A separate strike in Deir al-Balah on a municipal building claimed three lives, and another in Khan Younis reportedly killed at least three, according to Nasser Hospital staff.
The Israeli military claimed it had struck over 90 militant targets in 48 hours, including command centres, tunnels, and weapons depots. It also reported intercepting a projectile fired from Gaza.
The conflict was triggered on 7 October 2023 when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 250. While some hostages were later released in exchange deals, Israel says 59 remain in captivity, with 24 believed to be alive.
In response, Israel has waged a relentless campaign in Gaza, cutting off supplies and launching continuous strikes. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 50,000 Palestinians killed in the offensive — more than half of them women and children. The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Meanwhile, Israel said a missile was fired from Yemen on Sunday, triggering sirens across Israel and the occupied West Bank. There were no reports of injuries or damage. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have continued launching missiles in solidarity with Palestinians.
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