Two Israeli missiles struck a building at a major hospital in Gaza, causing immense destruction to the emergency and reception departments and damaging other facilities, according to medical personnel.
Health officials at the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital evacuated the patients from the building after a person claimed to have received a call from someone who identified himself as a part of the Israeli security shortly before the attack took place.
The hospital, affiliated with the Anglican Church, was a major medical facility in Gaza City, according to the Gaza health ministry, which is now out rendered non-operational because of the attack.
“Hundreds of patients and injured civilians had to be evacuated in the middle of the night, many of whom are now out in the streets without medical care, which puts their lives at risk,” said Khalil Al-Deqran, the spokesperson for the ministry, in a statement to Reuters.
Images circulating on social media, showed dozens of people leaving the premises, with some appearing to be dragging sick relatives on hospital beds.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry and Hamas condemned the attack on Al-Ahli, asserting in a statement that Israel is systematically dismantling Gaza’s healthcare system.
Israel claims that Hamas systematically exploits civilian structures, including hospitals, which the militant group denies. Israeli forces have carried out multiple raids on medical facilities in the area.