Israel Intensifies Gaza Strikes on Palm Sunday, Hitting a Hospital

On Palm Sunday (April 13–14, 2025), Israeli airstrikes intensified across Gaza with a controversial attack on Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. The facility, managed by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, suffered severe damage to its emergency room, pharmacy, and surrounding areas, resulting in at least 21 deaths—many of them civilians and children. Israel alleged that the hospital was used as a Hamas command center; however, no evidence was provided and Hamas denied the claim, while the Diocese strongly condemned the strike given its occurrence on a significant Christian holy day.

Additional strikes hit areas including Deir al-Balah and the Jabaliya refugee camp, causing further casualties such as the reported deaths of six brothers involved in food distribution and a family with young children. This escalation comes amid an ongoing conflict that began after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, has already claimed over 50,000 Palestinian lives. The unfolding events have drawn international attention and calls for renewed scrutiny of military actions in the region.