PAB Condemns Israelis’ Airstrikes on Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital

The Palestinian American Bridge (PAB) strongly condemns the Israeli airstrikes on Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital, which were carried out with guided missiles despite prior knowledge that a member of PAB’s Emergency Medical Team was present at the facility.

The strike led to the total destruction of the hospital’s emergency and reception departments, pharmacy, laboratory, blood bank, and oxygen station. This devastation would not have occurred if the doctors put at risk had been those belonging to the American or Canadian teams affiliated with Israeli authorities that are currently operating in the Gaza Strip. This was similarly the case for the Nasser Medical Complex, which was bombed by Israeli drones only after confirming that none of the medical personnel from those two Israeli-affiliated teams were present, which clearly shows a disturbing pattern of selective targeting.

The World Health Organization (WHO) team on the ground has confirmed that Israeli forces were aware of the presence of PAB’s surgeon at Al-Ahli Hospital at the time of the attack.

Professor Samer Alattar, an orthopedic surgeon from Chicago, refused to leave the hospital, standing by his patients who felt a sense of safety and reassurance from his presence there with them as an American doctor.

We remain in direct communication with Dr. Alattar and the WHO team, and we hold the Israeli authorities fully responsible for his safety and for the lives of all patients who are enduring this crisis. Their safety and protection under international laws cannot be contingent upon affiliation.

We stand with Dr. Alattar and all medical professionals risking their lives to provide care. We pray for their continued safety and for the protection of all civilians in Gaza.