SCOTTISH bishops have condemned the bombing of a hospital in Gaza on Palm Sunday saying they are "appalled and deeply saddened".
The College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church has spoken out after an Israeli strike on the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, which killed at least 21 people.
The pre-dawn strike was the latest of several attacks on northern Gaza’s last major hospital providing critical health care.
Hospital director Dr Fadel Naim said the emergency room, pharmacy and surrounding buildings were severely damaged, affecting more than 100 patients and dozens of staff.
The college has now called on the international community to "bring pressure to bear on the government of Israel" to cease attacks on humanitarian institutions.
A statement said: "The College of Bishops is appalled and deeply saddened by the bombing and destruction of part of the Al-Ahli Hospital.
"The Scottish Episcopal Church has a long history of supporting the life and work of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and its work with the whole community in the Holy Land, including the remarkable ministry of the hospital as it continues to work throughout the recent turmoil in Gaza.
‘The college condemns the forced evacuation and airstrikes on the hospital and call upon the international community to bring pressure to bear on the government of Israel to cease attacks on humanitarian institutions.
‘The reducing of hospitals to rubble and the suffering of vulnerable people cannot bring about peace or justice for people of Palestine and Israel. It will only destroy hope and deepen hatred.
"Prayers have been offered from across the Province, and the plight of hospitals in Gaza is already being supported via Lent Appeals in a number of our dioceses. We will all continue to pray and offer our support to the Diocese of Jerusalem during these desperate times."
Al-Ahli Hospital is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which condemned the attack, saying in a statement it happened on “Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year”.
One patient, a girl, died during the evacuation following an Israeli warning because staff were unable to provide urgent care, Gaza’s health ministry said.
Israel said it struck a Hamas command and control centre at the hospital, without providing evidence. Hamas denied the allegations.
The health ministry said the hospital was temporarily out of service and patients were transferred to other hospitals in Gaza City.
The aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians called it the fifth attack on Al-Ahli since the war began.
