By Edward Makuzva
Harare – The Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe, Dr. Tamer Almassri, has issued a vehement condemnation of the Israeli airstrike on the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, calling the attack a “heinous war crime” committed on a sacred day for millions of Christians around the world.
Ambassador Almassri added that the missile strike, which took place on the morning of Palm Sunday ushering in a Holy Week targeted the historic Ahli Arab Hospital, an institution under the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. This marked the fifth attack on the hospital since the onset of the current wave of Israeli aggression in 2023.
“This is not only an attack on a hospital but an attack on humanity,” said Dr. Almassri. “To strike a place of healing during such a holy time underscores the depth of Israel’s cruelty and disregard for international norms.”
The ambassador decried the attack as emblematic of Israel’s broader campaign of systemic violence and displacement in Gaza. He emphasized that the repeated assaults on hospitals and civilian infrastructure point to a deliberate policy to render the enclave unlivable, a move he described as a form of genocide and forced displacement.
“The missile strike resulted in the complete destruction of the hospital’s two-storey Genetic Laboratory—an essential component of its diagnostic and treatment capacity—and severely damaged the pharmacy and emergency department. These facilities served as critical lifelines for a population already enduring an unprecedented humanitarian crisis”, Ambassador Almassri explained.
The surrounding area, including the historic St. Philip’s Church, also sustained collateral damage in what Dr. Almassri described as “an indiscriminate and calculated act of terror.”
“By targeting health care centers, Israel is systematically eliminating the infrastructure needed for survival,” he said. “This is not collateral damage—this is extermination under the watchful eye of a silent world.”
The ambassador noted that Gaza’s health system is already on the verge of collapse, crippled by a suffocating blockade, shortages of essential supplies, and relentless bombardments. The attack on Ahli Arab Hospital only exacerbates the suffering of civilians, many of whom are women, children, and the elderly.
Dr. Almassri also condemned what he described as “the deafening silence of the international community,” which he believes has emboldened Israel to escalate its actions with impunity. He warned that the continued failure to hold Israel accountable could have global consequences.”
Furthermore, “When the world turns a blind eye to such atrocities, it sets a dangerous precedent—one that threatens the very foundations of international law and human rights,” he said. “If a nation can bomb hospitals without consequence, then no country is truly safe”, he said.
In his urgent appeal, the Palestinian ambassador called on governments, religious leaders, human rights organizations, and ordinary citizens worldwide to raise their voices and demand an immediate halt to all attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions.
“This is not just a Palestinian issue—it is a moral test for humanity,” Dr. Almassri declared.
Moreover, “We must not allow the normalization of barbarism. We must stand for life, for dignity, and for justice”, Ambassador Almassri added.
Meanwhile, the state of Palestine reiterated its commitment to seeking international legal remedies and called for the swift establishment of an independent investigation into the attack.
The ambassador reaffirmed the resilience of the Palestinian people and their determination to achieve freedom, dignity, and the right to live in peace.