January 14, 2009
By Matthew Davies

As the embattled residents of Gaza struggle for survival 18 days into a bloody Israeli military operation, the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City continues to bring some semblance of hope to the local Palestinian community through its commitment to providing critical healthcare services to anyone in need.

One of 37 institutions run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, the hospital has struggled to meet the increased demands on its already-overburdened staff, who have tended to the wounded despite being surrounded by conflict, the challenges of diminishing medical supplies, and their own fatigue.

A January 14 update from the diocese's healthcare department reported that much-needed supplies, including medicines and blankets, had finally been received by the hospital as several trucks arrived in convoys coordinated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The recent fighting, which has reportedly killed nearly 1,000 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, began December 27 with Israeli air strikes and was stepped up with a ground assault on January 3. More than 4,000 innocent civilians have been injured in Israel's attempt to target militant Palestinians allied with Hamas, which controls Gaza. Those militants are responsible for firing rockets into southern Israel, attacks that had increased in retaliation to an Israeli air strike that killed six Palestinians in November 2008.

The worsening humanitarian crisis and pressure from the international community recently caused Israel to introduce a daily three-hour hiatus to its military offensive to enable critical supplies to enter the densely populated region. Twenty-four members of Congress wrote to President George W. Bush on January 9 calling on the White House to resolve the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

The diocesan update said that the hospital "has received some limited assistance through various aid agencies, but the trucks arriving today represent a huge boost to the hospital's ability to continue its urgent humanitarian mission of medical care for anyone in need, even under the current dire circumstances. The hospital's location in the very heart of Gaza City is now placing added responsibility on its work, which is being carried out so bravely and selflessly by the hospital staff."

One success, said the diocese, is the story of Mohan'nad, a nine-year-old boy whose leg was badly injured when a building near his home was damaged. "Thankfully, the doctors and staff at Al Ahli were able to save his leg," the diocesan update reported.

Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani has expressed his gratitude on behalf of the diocese for the "overwhelming generosity of many partners and friends" who have made it possible for the materials to reach the hospital.

In addition to support from USAID, Action by Churches Together International and other organizations, the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and Episcopal Relief and Development have provided critical financial assistance to the hospital as it struggles to serve the predominantly Muslim population in Gaza where about 80 percent of the population are living below the World Health Organization poverty line.

"We are so grateful for the immediate and exceptionally generous response in prayers and monetary gifts. In addition, the generous donations of medical and urgent humanitarian supplies such as food, blankets, plastic sheeting, bedding, fuel, and even detergent for washing clothes and linens make all the difference," Dawani said. "You can rest assured that we are doing all that is humanly possible under these most complex and difficult circumstances to insure the safety and well being of the hospital and its staff."

Founded as a mission of the Anglican Church in 1882, the hospital became a service ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in 1982.

In March 2008, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori visited Gaza and met the hospital staff and director Suhaila Tarazi, who works among Gaza's 1.5 million residents, including 3,000 Christians.

Jefferts Schori renewed calls for a ceasefire in a January 5 statement. "The high number of civilian deaths and injuries, which continue to include noncombatants, women, and children, will only prolong the violence years into the future," she said. "The first steps toward peace will only come if all parties unite behind an immediate ceasefire."

Meanwhile, Tarazi conveyed her thanks to the friends and supporters who have offered their prayers and assistance.

"This is a place of love and reconciliation," Tarazi told ENS, acknowledging the unity between Muslims and Christians in Gaza. "We are all children of Abraham working in mission to help one another."

To support the Diocese of Jerusalem's relief efforts in Gaza:

Contributions (marked "Gaza Relief" or "Diocese of Jerusalem") may be sent to:

• The Episcopal Church, 815 Second Avenue, New York City, NY 10017

• Episcopal Relief and Development (Middle East Fund), http://www.er-d.org/, or 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129, or P.O. Box 7058 Merrifield, VA 22116-7058

• American Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem, http://www.americanfriends-jerusalem.org/, or P.O. Box 2040, Orange, CA 92859 or 717-796-0570

Episcopal News Service
Matthew Davies is editor of Episcopal Life Online and international correspondent of Episcopal News Service.