On The Massacre at Al Ahli Arab Hospital
FOSNA is in shock over the horrifying massacre that took place today at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. This attack comes as a climax to several other attacks at or around the premises of all hospitals in Gaza. The hospitals have been alerting the international community to these attacks, as well as to the reality that they are running out of medicine, water, and fuel. As we write this statement, there are attacks on the surroundings of the European Gaza hospital.
The laws of armed conflict are clear. Civilian institutions cannot be targeted. Medical institutions, especially, must be sacrosanct.
We condemn this massacre, which has resulted in the death of hundreds of innocent civilians with the final death toll yet unknown. We demand an immediate ceasefire, so that the wounded can be evacuated and medical supplies as well as humanitarian assistance can be provided to the civilian survivors. We note that, although this bombing has occurred in the midst of thousands of Israeli bombs raining down on Gaza, Israel has denied responsibility, claiming that it was an errant rocket fired by Islamic Jihad which caused the damage. Islamic Jihad has denied this claim, while international observers have claimed that the blast appears to be beyond the capabilities of Gazan militants.
While a full investigation is needed to determine who is criminally responsible for this massacre, the urgency of the humanitarian catastrophe cannot wait. An immediate ceasefire and the provision of supplies, electricity, and fuel to the entire civilian population in all of Gaza is essential.
The hospital, like other Gaza hospitals, has been working under impossible conditions since the beginning of this war. In addition, many families also tried to find refuge in and around the hospital, hoping that it would provide some sanctuary from the relentless bombing. Israel has ordered the hospital closed and its people evacuated as part of its campaign to clear out 1.1 million people from the north of Gaza, an order that the United Nations said was not possible to fulfill and would create a humanitarian catastrophe. Hospital administration and staff refused to leave, knowing it would be an immediate death sentence for many of its patients, and they continued to carry out their humanitarian task. Unfortunately, they paid heavily for their courage.
Founded in 1882 by the Anglican Church Missionary Society of the Church of England, the Al Ahli Arab Hospital has been providing service to the people of Gaza for 141 years and is considered one of the oldest in the Strip. After 1954, it operated as a ministry of the US Southern Baptist Convention until the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem took over operations in 1982 and has continued operations until today. Al Ahli is known internationally as a special place of healing and has been supported by Baptists, the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and many other faith communities around the world. Many FOSNA members and partners from all denominations are familiar with Al Ahli Arab Hospital and its administration and have regularly contributed to its work.
This travesty is too heavy for our hearts to bear, and we desperately seek an end to this madness. We express our unbounded love for all those suffering the loss of their beloved.
Lord have mercy.
For additional information, please contact Jonathan Kuttab at jonathankuttab@fosna.org.
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(American Muslims for Palestine) Demand our President call for a ceasefire instead of participating in Israel's genocide of Palestinians NOW.
The Biden Administration's actions are putting the U.S. at risk of being implicated in war crimes. While many leaders in Congress are calling for an immediate ceasefire, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has attended an Israeli war cabinet meeting. Now, President Biden will also do so tomorrow. This is shameful and implicates the United States in any war crimes discussed or planned during these meetings.