In recent hours, the name of the Baptist Hospital in Gaza, also known as the Arab National Hospital, has come to the forefront following a strike that both Israel and Palestinians are exchanging accusations about, resulting in the deaths of around 500 people.
Founded in 1882, the Arab National Baptist Hospital is managed by the Anglican Church and describes itself on its website as "a sanctuary of peace in one of the most troubled places in the world." It continued operations throughout the British Mandate in Palestine until the missionary mission decided to close it at the end of the mandate. It was later reopened and managed from Egypt, where it functioned under the oversight of American Baptist missionaries based in Cairo. The hospital is known as "the Baptist," named after the Baptist Church, a Protestant church that believes in the Bible and the Trinity. Gaza remained under Egyptian rule, and when Israel occupied the Gaza Strip in 1967, the Episcopal Church regained control of the hospital, making it a non-sectarian health service center providing services to everyone without exception. Recently, it received a new cancer wing funded by the "American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in Texas." The hospital director is Suhaila Tarzi, a Palestinian-American.
Over three thousand people have fled their homes to the Arab National Hospital (Baptist) in Gaza, escaping death, laying in its outer courtyard and believing they were safe from bombardment. However, the unexpected occurred when "a quality shell, not a missile," impacted, according to Muhammad Abu Musbah, the director of ambulance and emergency services at the Palestinian Red Crescent - Gaza, killing and injuring hundreds in "a massacre beyond imagination," as he stated.
The Arab National Hospital, now managed by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, provides healthcare to patients regardless of their ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, or economic status. It is located in the center of Gaza City and treats over 45,000 patients every year. "It is a sanctuary of peace and hope amidst one of the most troubled regions of the world," according to the "Anglican Overseas Aid" website.
The Anglican Overseas Aid organization's partnership with the hospital began in 1988, focusing largely on enhancing and accessing healthcare services in Gaza City, particularly for women and children, ensuring they receive necessary care when sick or injured. The hospital also trains doctors in Gaza for surgeries and provides urgent care for the wounded during conflicts. "The Arab National Hospital represents a beacon of peace and hope for all the people it serves," according to the Jerusalem Diocese website.
The hospital has several departments, notably the surgical department, orthopedic department, obstetrics department, in addition to a pharmacy and a new wing dedicated to cancer patients. It also conducts routine healthcare activities such as vaccinations for children and awareness campaigns directed at citizens via social media platforms.
During conflicts, the hospital has received casualties and injuries from all areas of Gaza. On multiple occasions, it has been supported by other doctors from Jerusalem. In the 2018 conflict, the hospital hosted a team of doctors, including orthopedic and plastic surgeons and nurses from the Augusta Victoria Hospital run by Lutherans in Jerusalem. "They came for a week and provided support to the medical team treating Palestinian injuries," according to the "Anglican Alliance" website. During the visit, the delegation performed five plastic surgeries and collaborated with the Eye Hospital and Shifa Medical Complex to enhance infection prevention and control systems in the hospitals of the Gaza Strip.
