Church of Ireland gives cash to embattled Gaza hospital

The Church of Ireland has donated €25,000 to help a hospital at breaking point in embattled Gaza with an influx of patients as the Israeli offensive against Hamas continues.

The church said today the donation was in response to an appeal for help from the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, the Rt Rev Suheil Dawani, whose diocese operates the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City.

The Church of Ireland said the hospital was providing essential frontline medical and emergency humanitarian services to those coming or being brought directly to it.

Additionally it was receiving patients transferred by UNRWA – the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees – from the government Hospital Al Shiffa for emergency inpatient and surgical treatment of the wounded and injured.

The church added: “As a non-partisan well established hospital, it is receiving patients from all directions. The number of casualties arriving at the hospital in the present tragic situation is straining its resources and ability to cope almost beyond breaking point.”

The donation of €25,000) had been made by the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal, the Church of Ireland World Aid and Development Programme.