Attacks on Gaza by Israel Continue as the Death Toll Rises to 73,341 with Hospital Hit - Priest Raises Alarm for Urgent International Action as it is "beyond disastrous"
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Israel's attacks on Gaza have killed at least 73,341 Palestinians and injured at least 174,086 people, many with life-altering wounds, since October 2023.In Gaza, Israel has killed 1,180 Palestinians and injured 3,810 others between the October 2025 ceasefire and 22 July 2026, and this week, continued airstrikes and gunfire, restricted aid entry and made further advances of the so-called “yellow line” marking Israeli’s line of control across multiple areas, the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, reported
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli attacks have killed 1,122 Palestinians, at least 246 of them children, between the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023 and 24 July 2026, with 76 killed since the beginning of this year, according to the latest OCHA casualty report
Israeli Strike Near Gaza’s Al-Ahli Hospital Causes Damage and Fear
An Israeli airstrike targeting a residential apartment directly adjacent to the CNEWA-supported Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in central Gaza City shattered doors and windows and damaged a diagnostic center elevator on July 29. While the hospital itself was not directly targeted, the proximity of the blast sparked severe panic among patients and healthcare workers.
(Image - Omar AL-QATTAA)
Impact on Medical Staff and Operations
Hospital manager Mousa Ayad highlighted the intense psychological toll on medical personnel and patients, noting that Al-Ahli sits less than a mile from the Israeli-controlled "Yellow Line."
Psychological Distress: Frequent explosions nearby create confusion and place heavy psychological pressure on already vulnerable patients and medical teams.
Persistent Supply Shortages: Despite the ceasefire established last October, Gaza's health sector has seen minimal recovery. Hospitals face critical shortages of basic medical supplies, long surgical waiting lists, and limited options for patients requiring specialized care abroad.
Constant Uncertainty: Ayad noted that while staff do not believe the hospital is an intended target given its medical role, the unpredictable nature of the strikes leaves everyone on edge.
Evacuation Orders and Emergency Response Challenges
The strike near the hospital—which was also adjacent to a displacement camp—reflects a noticeable rise in attacks on multistory residential structures. The Israeli military frequently issues broad evacuation orders covering entire neighborhoods without specifying exact targets, forcing mass, panicked displacement.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s Civil Defense, detailed the critical obstacles facing emergency teams:
Blind Evacuations: Broad orders force communities to flee without knowing if their specific homes are at risk. High-explosive munitions frequently destroy neighboring homes alongside the target.
Delayed Rescues: Civil Defense crews had to wait over 15 minutes to engage the July 29 apartment fire due to fear of a secondary strike.
Equipment Deficits: Emergency responses are heavily constrained by severe shortages of fuel, water tankers, and functional firefighting vehicles.
Expanding Military Footprint and Casualty Numbers
Humanitarian conditions continue to worsen alongside shifting territorial control:
| Indicator | Reported Status |
| Ceasefire Casualties (since Oct 2025) (since Oct 2023) | ~1,200 killed | ~3,900 injured 73,341 Killed | 174,086 Injured |
| Territorial Control | Expanded from 53% post-ceasefire to ~64% (Goal: 70%) |
| Infrastructure | Over 14 miles of sand barriers & military posts along the buffer zone |
"The sound of the explosion brought back memories of the darkest days of the war," Ayad said. "Even after more than nine months of the ceasefire, the war’s impact is still present in every part of daily life."
Original reporting by Diaa Ostaz, Gaza.
https://cnewa.org/israeli-strike-damages-christian-run-hospital-in-gaza/
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