Israel’s attack on al-Alhi Hospital in Gaza City draws global condemnation
Israel claims it struck a Hamas command and control centre at the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, City without providing evidence [Jehad Alshrafi/AP]
Published On 13 Apr 2025
A predawn Israeli [strike on al-Ahli Hospital](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/13/israeli-forces-bomb-al-ahli-hospital-in-gaza-forcing-patients-to-flee) in Gaza City, the last major hospital providing critical healthcare in northern Gaza, has sparked condemnation in Palestine and across the world as Israel continues to [attack healthcare facilities](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/13/timeline-israels-attacks-on-hospitals-throughout-its-war-on-gaza).
Israel on Sunday claimed it struck a Hamas command and control centre at the hospital, without providing evidence, while Hamas denied the allegations.
## International condemnation: ‘Attacks on health care must stop’
Hospitals have special protection under international law. Israel has besieged and raided them nevertheless, some several times, and struck multiple ones while accusing Hamas of using them as cover for its fighters. Last month, [Israel struck Nasser Hospital](http://aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/3/24/israel-attacks-southern-gazas-largest-hospital) in Khan Younis, the largest hospital in southern Gaza, killing two people and causing a large fire.
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the hospital was out of service and a child had died as a result of the disruption of care.
“Attacks on health care must stop,” the WHO chief wrote on X. “Once again we repeat: patients, health workers and hospitals must be protected. The aid blockade must be lifted. Ceasefire.”
> Al-Ahli hospital in [#Gaza](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gaza?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) is out of service following this morning’s evacuation order and attack – [@WHO](https://twitter.com/WHO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) has received an update from the hospital’s director. A child died due to disruption of care.
>
> The emergency room, laboratory, emergency room X-ray machines and the pharmacy…
>
> — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) [April 13, 2025](https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1911474714893279661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
British Foreign Minister David Lammy said Israel’s bombing of medical facilities had “comprehensively degraded access to healthcare” in the enclave.
“Al-Ahli Hospital has been attacked repeatedly since the conflict began. These deplorable attacks must end. Diplomacy not more bloodshed is how we will achieve a lasting peace,” Lammy wrote on X.
Qatar said the attack on the last functioning hospital in northern Gaza was a “horrific massacre and a heinous crime against civilians” that constituted a grave violation of international humanitarian law.
The Foreign Ministry warned about the expansion of the cycle of violence across the region and said the international community must assume its responsibilities in protecting civilians.
Jordan also condemned the attack as well as Israel’s systematic targeting of civilians in Gaza and the destruction of vital facilities that provide essential services to its population.
Egypt, too, issued a statement, calling the attack a grave violation of international humanitarian law and international norms and appealing for the international community’s intervention in halting the attacks.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock questioned the modalities of the strike but stopped short of condemning the attack. “The cruel Hamas terror must be combated. But international humanitarian law applies, with a special obligation to protect civilian areas. How can a hospital be evacuated in less than 20 minutes?” she asked in a post on X.