The Medical Director of Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, the only Christian hospital in Gaza, has issued a desperate call for support now that the cease-fire has begun.
October 13th. In a video published today, the extent of the problem is described in detail. In normal circumstances Al Ahli is a fifty-bed hospital but currently it houses around 120 patients. The World Health Organisation has documented a surge in patients at Al Ahli as the only working hospital in Gaza City. It is still carrying out a thousand operations per month, including all kinds of surgery. That is despite the lack of specialist staff, since many fled to the south in anticipation of the IDF ground offensive. Currently there is only one radiologist in the north of Gaza and no consultant anaesthetist.
The hospital uses 1000 litres of fuel each day in its generators and supplies are running low. The lack of suitable antibiotics has led to unnecessary wound infections, and other medical supplies are dwindling.
There is particular concern for cancer patients. The week before hostilities began in 2023 a new cancer care facility was opened at the hospital by Archbishop Hosam but was destroyed by a missile soon afterwards. The hospital used to see some 1600 cancer patients each year. Neglecting them has led to deterioration and, in some cases, death. The hospital contains the only (3) ICU beds to serve a population of half a million people.
When it was still possible, although dangerous, to get supplies into Gaza, the Diocese reported that it did manage to deliver $56000 of medical supplies. The Diocese has made repeated calls to respect the demands of the Fourth Geneva Convention with regard to hospitals and medical staff, most recently, following five shooting fatalities in June 2025.
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All photos: Diocese of Jerusalem.