On June 5, 2025, Israeli forces bombed the courtyard of the Al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza City, killing four journalists and at least two other civilians.
This attack, reported by Antiwar.com, Dave DeCamp, targeted a hospital run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Consequently, Israel bombing the Christian hospital in Gaza raises grave concerns about violations of international law.
Israel bombed a Christian-run hospital in Gaza today, killing four journalists pic.twitter.com/4pSAv5JqNn
— Dave DeCamp (@DecampDave) June 5, 2025
The Diocese condemned the attack, calling for adherence to the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The attack happened at around 10:20 a.m. local time, resulting in the deaths of journalists Suleiman Hajjaj, Ismail Badah, Samir al-Rifai, and Moataz Muhammad Rajab. These journalists were affiliated with different Palestinian media outlets.
A father and another civilian died, while thirty others, including four hospital staff, were wounded.
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem issued a statement. It condemned the attack, stating,
“This morning at about 10:20 am, Israeli forces fired within the grounds of our Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, killing three journalists, along with two other individuals, including a father who was accompanying his son to our surgical unit for treatment of prior injuries.”
The Diocese emphasized the need to uphold the “internationally protected sanctity” of hospitals. It urged the enforcement of the Fourth Geneva Convention’s provisions that offer special protections for medical staff, journalists, and civilians.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate reported this massacre. It brings the total number of journalists killed by Israeli forces since October 2023 to 225. The Syndicate described it as part of a “systematic policy of targeting and killing journalists.”
Middle East Eye and WAFA confirmed the identities of the slain journalists. They noted the lack of warning before the bombing.
The Israeli military has not justified the strike on the hospital courtyard. It often claims Hamas uses civilian sites for military operations.
This incident adds to the over 54,607 Palestinians killed and 125,341 wounded in Gaza since October 2023.
The targeting of journalists undermines press freedom and the ability to report on the conflict. Therefore, it fuels global outrage and calls for accountability.
In turn, this controversy challenges the international community to enforce protections for civilians and media workers in conflict zones. The Episcopal Diocese’s call for action underscores the urgency of the situation.
