WCC News: Director of Gaza hospital: “our faith tells us, aways after a dark night, there will be another shining tomorrow”
Dr Suhaila Tarazi, director of Al Ahli Arab Hospital (Ahli) in Gaza City, shared her reflections during Holy Week—the dire situations facing the patients, what gives her hope, and her Easter message to all people of goodwill across the world.
Al Ahli Arab Hospital (Ahli) is the only Christian-operated hospital left in Gaza. It now receives some 20,000 patients each month in what’s left of the hospital building as well as outposts set up in buildings nearby.
“Nowadays, because of the escalation of violence and the big number of casualties, we have become the main hospital providing trauma care,” said Tarazi.
On 13 April—Palm Sunday—at 1:30 a.m. local time, the hospital team received a warning to evacuate, 20 minutes before a bombardment. Significant damages occurred to a laboratory, the emergency unit, the pharmacy, and the outpatient clinic.
“We had to evacuate the patients and unfortunately one of the sick children who had a brain injury passed away because he was on oxygen, but had to be moved,” said Tarazi. “The impact of this affected us very much.”
And it wasn’t the first time, Tarazi added.
Sacred mission
“The mission of the hospital is to help all people,” she said. “We don’t look into faith, gender, or political affiliate. Our aim is to save lives.”
Even amid the damage of the latest bombardment, the hospital staff is committed to their work, and still running the intensive care unit, inpatient bed, the operation rooms.
“All in the hospital are suffering from a shortage of medicine, medical supplies, equipment, and food—because even before this setback we were in big shortages because of the blockade of the aid,” said Tarazi.
Yet she and her staff keep hoping. “We hope an agreement is soon to be signed, and medical supplies and food are allowed to enter Gaza and be accessible,” she said. “My staff are really working in a very frightening situation because nobody there knows what will happen in the coming minute.”
We are one in Jesus
Now with 110 staff plus volunteers, Tarazi said the situation is completely different than anything she’s ever seen before—and she’s witnessed many conflicts.
“People are seeking refuge and a safe place to be but there is no safe place in Gaza,” she said. “The last bombardment is an example.”
Even the churches are subject to bombardment, she added. “There is no way to compare what’s going on nowadays in Gaza with any other war.”
Born in Gaza and from a Greek Orthodox family, Tarazi still steadfastly believes that we are all one in Jesus Christ.
“My hospital was an oasis of love and green gardens,” she said. “I am sorry to say it has become a place of graves.”
She simply asks for an end to the war. “For the sake of Palestinians, for the sake of our brothers and sisters in Israel,” she said. “After all, we are God’s children whether we are Jews, Christians, or Muslims—and the biggest thing is for us all to live in peace and dignity.”
During Holy Week, she sees that Gaza is carrying a very heavy cross. “But we are full of hope that there is, in Jesus, a way or a miracle that will end this suffering,” she said. “Our vision in Gaza is, that we will maintain it to be a good witness to our Christian presence and we will continue healing the wounds, drying all tears, and bringing back the smiles for the children.”
There will be another tomorrow, she insisted. “And this is what our Christian faith tells us: aways after a dark night, there will be another shining tomorrow,” said Tarazi. “We can continue our mission of healing, our mission of reconciliation, our mission of peace.” Tarazi asks all people to pray for peace. “Pray for peace in Gaza and in the whole world, and also pray for those who lost their loved ones on both sides,” she said. “And pray that God gives us the courage to continue carrying this mission in Gaza.”