Gaza Update: Perseverance Builds Hope
August 26, 2024- Posted in Diocese of Jerusalem, Disabilities, Gaza, Healthcare
Thanks to the dedication and bravery of the staff, Al Ahli Arab Hospital (Ahli) and the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre (JPBC) have resumed operations at Ahli in Gaza City as of July 11, 2024 after a forced closure under Israeli military order. Although the hospital itself did not sustain any additional damage during the recent IDF operations in Gaza City in early July, one of Ahli’s ambulances was hit by a sniper and severely damaged. Fortunately, the driver escaped unharmed, and no patients were in the vehicle during the attack.
All three JPBC Gaza staff members have returned, and clinical services have resumed. The JPBC satellite unit at Ahli in Gaza offers expanded rehabilitation services for children, including those recovering from emergency surgeries. Daily communication between JPBC staff in Jerusalem and Gaza City during the evacuation provided critical support and comfort to both teams.
Recent updates from the JPBC satellite unit include:
– Treatment programs for children with acute injuries and chronic conditions have resumed.
– The JPBC team is currently caring for 18 children, including families who returned post-evacuation and four new patients.
– Clinical supervision and online meetings between multidisciplinary care teams between Jerusalem and Gaza have also resumed.
JPBC also recognizes the exceptional outreach work of two dedicated, displaced therapists, Ismail in Khan Younis and Al Zahraa’ in Deir al Balah, who have been working diligently from shelters in the southern regions of the Gaza Strip since early 2024. Like their colleagues in Gaza City, they are demonstrating remarkable fortitude and commitment by treating children from emergency medical posts.
We extend our deepest gratitude for your support during this crisis. Your generosity enables Ahli and JPBC to sustain their essential work and deliver crucial care to Gaza’s most vulnerable. Your continued support ensures that these vital services remain available to those in need.
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem remains committed to its mission of healing and reconciliation, a commitment exemplified by the exceptional service and courage of its staff. Read the Official Statement from the diocese regarding this development.
