- Israeli forces bombed al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, causing severe structural damage and casualties.
- Emergency departments and oxygen units destroyed, forcing hundreds of patients and staff to flee.
- Health infrastructure in Gaza is on the verge of collapse due to continued Israeli air raids.
- A senior Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian mediators.
- The international community raises concerns over violations of international humanitarian law and calls for accountability.
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, Israeli airstrikes severely damaged al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, intensifying the humanitarian catastrophe in the region. The attack occurred as diplomatic efforts toward a Gaza truce agreement resumed in Cairo.
The hospital, located in northern Gaza, was among the few remaining operational medical facilities in the region. The emergency department, main gate, and the oxygen generator unit were destroyed in the strike, according to the Gaza Government Media Office. Hundreds of patients, including those in critical condition, were evacuated under emergency circumstances, leaving behind a facility in ruins and a city in fear.
“Bombing hospitals is a heinous crime. The al-Ahli Hospital provided essential services to more than a million Palestinians in Gaza,” stated officials from the Gaza Health Ministry. They further emphasized that 16 out of 52 health centers are now non-operational due to repeated Israeli bombardments.
This recent attack follows a pattern of targeted strikes on healthcare infrastructure, which international organizations have strongly condemned. According to the World Health Organization, Gaza’s health system is “beyond breaking point,” with facilities overwhelmed and operating without adequate supplies, electricity, or personnel.
Ceasefire Negotiations Resume in Cairo
In parallel to the escalating violence, a senior Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo on Saturday for a new round of ceasefire talks with Egyptian intelligence officials. According to a Hamas statement reported by Al Arabiya English, the group expressed readiness to engage in discussions aimed at halting hostilities and establishing humanitarian corridors.
The talks are part of a multilateral diplomatic push involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, which seeks to mediate a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, while ensuring sustained humanitarian aid delivery.
However, progress has been slow. Disagreements remain over the timeline for withdrawal, release of detainees, and guarantees for long-term stability. Sources indicate that Hamas is demanding a comprehensive ceasefire rather than a temporary pause, citing the destruction and casualties suffered by Palestinian civilians.
International Reactions and Legal Concerns
The United Nations, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and various human rights organizations have strongly condemned the airstrikes on medical institutions. Legal experts and humanitarian law observers argue that such acts may constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions, which protect medical personnel and facilities even in active conflict zones.
“The bombing of al-Ahli Hospital is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law,” said a representative from Amnesty International, urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the incident and hold perpetrators accountable.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, the world watches closely. While diplomatic channels are cautiously reopening, continued attacks on hospitals and civilians highlight the urgent need for an immediate and sustained ceasefire. Without accountability and international intervention, the cycle of violence is likely to continue, pushing Gaza’s population deeper into despair.