Norwich Bishop's Gaza hospital appeal tops £37k 

The Bishop of Norwich’s appeal for the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza has now reached over £37,000, of which £20,000 has already been sent for use with another transfer of money due next week.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham Usher said: “I am staggered by the generosity of people towards my appeal for the Anglican-run Al Ahli hospital in Gaza. In only seven weeks, we have raised over £37,000. Thank you for your immense generosity. In these coming weeks, when we recall the Holy Family’s journeys to Egypt, most probably through Gaza, I hope we can raise this sum further so as to provide much needed medical support to innocent people caught up in the current conflict.”
 
In an update on the situation at the hospital, written at the end of November, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “The WHO and partners delivered 7,000 litres of fuel to al-Ahli hospital and the convoy delivered health supplies, including medication and surgical kits.”
 
Richard Sewell, Dean of St George’s College in Jerusalem wrote on Twitter on December 1:
“The World Health Organisation has reported that several hundred patients remain in the hospital, too vulnerable to seek shelter elsewhere. The Ahli hospital is open again after two weeks enforced closure due to lack of supplies. Supplies from the Red Cross/Crescent have now been received.”
 
The Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza is not affiliated with any political party. It is a Christian-led hospital, run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, which has been operating in Gaza since 1882. Medical staff look after all patients, regardless of ethnicity, religion or ability to pay.  In peace time, the hospital treats more than 45,000 patients each year.
 
In early October, Bishop Graham was able to visit the hospital and pray with medical staff and patients as part of a pre-planned 10 day trip to Israel and Gaza. While visiting, he also met and prayed with Bishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem.
 
On October 17, just days after Bishop Graham returned home, the war between Israel and Hamas intensified and the Al-Ahli hospital was hit by missiles, one damaging the cancer diagnostic centre, the other exploding at the hospital killing hundreds of innocent people.
 
British Palestinian doctor Ghassan Abu Sittah was working in the Al-Ahli hospital at the time of the explosion. He has since returned to Britain and spoken to the media, describing scenes in the Ahli hospital as apoplyptic and dystopian.
 
At the time of the first explosion, Bishop Graham said: “I’m horrified by the situation continuing to escalate in Israel and Gaza. The atrocities by Hamas against Israelis are utterly abhorrent and their crimes are sickening. Of deep concern is the continuation of violence and destruction on all sides and the impending humanitarian impact on innocent Palestinians in Gaza. I was there just last week. The facilities offered at the hospital are of vital importance for health in Gaza and it is known as a haven of peace and hope in the city.  The Director, Suhaila Tarazi, told me their mission is one of love.”
Suhaila Tarazi is Director of the Al-Ahli hospital. She issued an emergency appeal in October and at the time, said:“At this stage, our only hope is in God for a miracle in the midst of this scenery of death. There is no water, no electricity, no food, no fuel reserves and no safe place to shelter. The wards of Ahli are full with injured patients. We are trying to help as much as we can.”
All funds raised from the Bishop of Norwich’s Al- Ahli hospital appeal will go directly to the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem who will manage its spend. The funds will support the urgent work of the Al-Ahli hospital, or if it stops functioning, other medical support for the civilians of Gaza.
The hospital does not receive any funding from, nor is controlled by, any political party. If you would like to donate to the appeal, there is still time. The closing date is February 1 2024.
 
 
Notes for editors
Photo :
Bishop Graham in the Diagnostic Cancer treatment centre at the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza before it was struck and damage by rocket fire. Picture courtesy of Diocese of Norwich.