CMEP affirms the statement by The Episcopal Church in response to the Israeli military’s closure of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) affirms the statement by The Episcopal Church in response to the Israeli military’s closure of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. A vital ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, Al-Ahli has remained open, providing care even as it has faced several bombings and lack of water, fuel, or medicine. Despite the challenging circumstances, “At times, Al-Ahli has been the only hospital functioning in all of northern Gaza, serving many more patients than the staff are equipped to adequately care for. The medical staff have done all they can to continue to carry out the mission of the hospital and serve those in need despite impossible circumstances.”

CMEP calls on the Biden Administration to do everything in its power to ensure the safe reopening of the Al-Ahli hospital. CMEP joins the Episcopal Church in condemning “the repeated attacks on hospitals and targeting of medical workers, just as we condemn all actions throughout this conflict that kill and wound innocent civilians, especially babies and children, the elderly, and other medically vulnerable people.” CMEP and our member communions continue to call for a comprehensive ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the flow of immediate and adequate humanitarian assistance into Gaza. See the full Episcopal statement here.