Saturday marks the third anniversary of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital "Al-Ma'marani" massacre in Gaza City, which claimed hundreds of dead and wounded among patients and displaced persons who sought shelter in the hospital. The United Nations described it as one of the "bloodiest incidents" in the early days of the Israeli genocide war.
On the evening of October 17, 2023, an explosion occurred in the hospital square, which housed displaced persons who had arrived to take shelter from airstrikes. The Gaza Ministry of Health announced the death of around 500 people, including patients and displaced persons, and blamed Israel for shelling the hospital.
Historical background and previous targeting
The Al-Ahli Arab Hospital was established in 1882. Baptist missions administered it between 1954 and 1982, before its administration was transferred to the Anglican Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which explains the continued use of the name "Al-Ma'marani."
Youssef Abu Rish, Deputy Minister of Health, said at a press conference on October 18, 2023, that the hospital was targeted by two missiles on the 14th of the same month. An Israeli call following the targeting informed the hospital that the missiles were for warning purposes.
Abu Rish added that the hospital administration contacted the Anglican Church Metropolitan in Britain, who contacted international institutions and sent a reassuring message stating that the hospital could continue to operate.
Evacuation circumstances and toll
The World Health Organization, in a condemnation statement, noted that Al-Ma'marani was one of 20 hospitals and health facilities in northern Gaza facing evacuation orders from the Israeli army. It confirmed that evacuation was impossible due to insecurity and the critical condition of many patients.
Around 7:00 PM on October 17, the explosion occurred, concentrated in the square. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights identified the impact site as the hospital parking lot, where hundreds of displaced persons were sheltering.
According to data from the Ministry of Health, the attack killed around 500 Palestinians, including children, health workers, and displaced persons. The organization stated that the attack injured 342 people, including 28 with serious injuries.
Impact on the health sector
Most of the injured were transferred to Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, which was already operating beyond its capacity, according to a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on October 18.
The UN office stated that the large number of wounded forced doctors to attempt surgeries on the floor and in corridors, mostly without anesthesia. It described the incident as the "bloodiest" in Gaza since the start of the genocide at that time.
According to the latest data from the Gaza Ministry of Health, the Israeli army has shelled, destroyed, or taken out of service 38 hospitals and 96 health centers in the sector. The Israeli genocide since October 8, 2023, has resulted in more than 74,000 dead and over 175,000 wounded.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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