The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for hospitals in Gaza to be protected under international humanitarian law, following the closure of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City.

“In the face of intense Israeli bombardment, this closure puts injured and sick people in even greater danger,” Archbishop Justin Welby wrote in a post on X.

Large amounts of Israeli drone fire occurred in the hospital’s immediate vicinity on Sunday evening, and a statement issued by the Diocese of Jerusalem said the Anglican-run facility had been “compelled to close by the Israeli army”.

“This was followed by an [Israeli military] announcement that the area had been declared a red zone and that everyone should immediately evacuate all the buildings including everyone in the hospital,” the statement said.