Last Functioning Northern Gaza Hospital Out of Service After Latest Attack
In a devastating turn of events on April 13, 2025, Israeli missile strikes destroyed Gaza’s al-Ahli Hospital, putting the last functioning medical facility in northern Gaza out of service. The attack targeted the hospital’s emergency unit, further exacerbating the dire healthcare crisis in the region.
The assault came minutes after Israeli forces issued a warning to evacuate the building, with patients—including critically ill individuals—being forced to flee. The airstrike, which obliterated vital medical infrastructure, has left many patients without access to essential services, including oxygen and surgical care. This marks yet another tragic chapter in the ongoing conflict.
A Dire Situation for Patients and Medical Staff
Al-Ahli Hospital, previously one of the few remaining healthcare centers still operational in northern Gaza, was reduced to rubble by two missiles launched by Israeli forces. According to reports, the explosion destroyed the surgery building and oxygen supply systems crucial for the intensive care units. Medical staff, who had been working under extreme conditions, evacuated patients amid the chaos.
Razan al-Nahhas, an emergency doctor who worked at al-Ahli Hospital, described the situation as catastrophic. She mentioned that three individuals, including a 12-year-old boy with a severe head injury, died following the forced evacuation. Health officials confirmed that many patients, now left without shelter or oxygen, are facing life-threatening circumstances.
The Israeli military justified the strike, claiming the hospital was being used as a “command and control” center by Hamas. However, local officials and the international community have condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law, which explicitly protects medical facilities from military assaults.
Destruction of Gaza’s Healthcare Infrastructure
This attack on al-Ahli Hospital is far from an isolated incident. Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, hospitals and medical facilities have repeatedly been targeted by Israeli airstrikes, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis. In total, at least 34 hospitals across Gaza have been destroyed or rendered inoperable by similar assaults, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
The systematic targeting of healthcare infrastructure has left thousands of people without access to basic medical services. As of late March 2025, only 22 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals remained partially functional. With al-Ahli now out of service, the remaining medical facilities are increasingly overwhelmed, struggling to treat the growing number of casualties resulting from ongoing airstrikes and military operations.
These attacks have raised questions about the international community’s ability to protect humanitarian law in conflict zones, especially when hospitals are deliberately targeted. Health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have called for an immediate cessation of attacks on medical facilities in Gaza, urging Israel to abide by international norms and treaties.
Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
As of early April 2025, Gaza is facing one of its worst humanitarian crises in decades. The recent missile strike on al-Ahli Hospital highlights the dire need for international intervention to address the growing number of civilian casualties and the destruction of essential infrastructure.
In addition to the attacks on hospitals, Gaza has also experienced significant displacement, with thousands of people fleeing their homes in search of safety. Humanitarian aid organizations are struggling to deliver supplies to those in need, as roads and other transport routes are frequently cut off or destroyed by airstrikes.
International calls for a ceasefire have intensified, but despite diplomatic pressure, Israeli military operations continue. The violence has left many to question how long Gaza’s civilian population can withstand the ongoing bombardment and destruction of vital services.
The international community is closely watching the situation, with leaders and organizations urging both Israel and Hamas to adhere to humanitarian law and protect civilians, including healthcare workers and patients. However, as the conflict rages on, the prospects for peace seem increasingly distant, and the people of Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the violence.
