Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital Gaza's last hospital functioning partially

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital is the only functioning hospital in Gaza City despite a lack of equipment and medical supplies.

Speaking to Anadolu on Wednesday, Ahmad Al-Louh, director of operations and emergency at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, said the hospital provides first aid, and then the injured people have to wait in a long queue for medical surgery or operation.

He also said that under the current situation, the hospital and its medical staff can't provide proper health services.

The hospital's library was turned into a reception room for patients and wound dressing, Al-Louh said.

“We are all exposed to danger every day and every moment,” he added.

On Oct. 17, at least 471 people were killed and many injured in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, according to health officials in Gaza. Israel, however, still denies responsibility for the strike.

On Wednesday, Gaza's largest Al-Shifa Hospital was raided by the Israeli army. It went out of service under the Israeli siege and lack of electricity.

The government media office in Gaza said in a statement that the Israeli army has so far targeted 52 health centers and 55 ambulances across Gaza, while 25 hospitals have run out of service due to bombardment or lack of fuel and medical supplies.

Since Oct. 7, at least 11,500 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,800 women and children, and more than 29,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar​​​​​​​