In the Holy Land, your generous giving continues to save lives, supporting the vital work of Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and St Luke’s Hospital in the West Bank. During the 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026, the two hospitals have treated approximately 6000 patients amidst exceptionally difficult circumstances.

Al Ahli Arab Hospital provides emergency healthcare services to civilians affected directly by Israeli attacks, or affected indirectly through lack of adequate food and sanitation facilities, leading to malnutrition and infectious diseases.

One of the patients was Yusuf*, a 10-year-old boy who was struck in the abdomen by shrapnel when a missile landed near his tent. His mother lifted Yusuf up from the sand but there was no car to drive him to hospital. Fuel shortages had forced many emergency vehicles off the roads, and no taxi driver was willing to risk the journey.

With no other choice, Yusuf’s mother wrapped his wound with a piece of cloth, lifted him onto her back whenever he became too weak to walk, and began the desperate journey to Al Ahli Arab Hospital. 

For more than three hours, they walked through destroyed neighbourhoods, stepping over rubble and shattered roads. Every few minutes they stopped to hide beside damaged buildings as drones circled overhead and explosions echoed nearby. Yusuf cried in pain, becoming weaker with every step.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, Yusuf was in critical condition. The emergency team responded immediately. Within minutes he was transferred to the operating theatre, where he received emergency abdominal surgery.

Over the following days, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and psychosocial support staff worked together to help Yusuf recover. As his physical wounds slowly healed, the team also helped him cope with the fear and trauma left by the explosion. 

The day Yusuf was able to walk through the hospital corridor without assistance, his mother could hardly believe what she was seeing. 

“I thought I would lose him before we even reached the hospital,” she said through tears. “Every explosion made me think our journey would end there. The team at Ahli gave my son back to me. They did not only perform surgery—they restored our hope. I will never forget the compassion they showed us.”

Thank you so much for your generous support of the Gaza and West Bank Appeal, which enables the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East to help families like Yusuf and his mother in this time of crisis.

The need remains great – please visit the appeal page to support this work today.  

*Name has been changed