Anglican Missions reports the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East is still open 24 hours a day to support communities with medical aid, including in response to Israel's airstrikes which brought an end to the ceasefire on Tuesday. Al Ahli Hospital has already received large numbers of people killed or injured as a result of the latest attacks. 

Al Ahli Hospital Director Suhaila Tarazi reported the hospital's work in emergency care and rehabilitation continues, with outpatient services treating approximately 700-800 people daily, and surgical operations averaging 30-35 across three shifts per day. 

Al Ahli staff are able to keep the hospital operational 24 hours a day due to fuel support provided by UNWRA and WHO, supplemented by the hospital's own 30% solar energy capacity.

Earlier in March, Jerusalem and the Middle East's Diocesan Programmes Officer Sawsan Aranki-Batato reported to Anglican Missions that life in Gaza was already very precarious, with 1.6 million people displaced, living in tents or other inadequate shelter to manage the winter.

Gaza's water supplies are still severely limited, with much of the supply contaminated and 80% of waste management infrastructure and equipment destroyed, causing cases of communicable diseases to rise. Across Gaza there is still a critical shortage of food, hygiene materials and other essential items.

Even before the airstrikes, explosions were still being triggered by unexploded ordnances causing deaths and injuries as displaced people disturbed live bombs while setting up temporary shelters.

As all of Al Ahli's ambulances were destroyed in the war, the Red Crescent (Red Cross) has provided an ambulance which is supporting hospital operations. In the background of Al Ahli's work, the people of Gaza are struggling to survive as Israel blocks aid including essential food and fuel supplies.

In the context of renewed crisis in Gaza, international churches' support to Anglican institutions in the Holy Land remains essential for the Diocese to maintain its vital humanitarian projects that are positively supporting the people of Gaza every day.

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