BISHOP Jonathan has called on the Israeli government to respect the ceasefire agreement after a Palm Sunday attack on an Anglican-run hospital in Gaza.

The bishop spoke of his “grief, sorrow and outrage” after missiles landed on Al Ahli Hospital, which is run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. Staff and patients were given only 20 minutes notice before the attack at around midnight. Part of the hospital was reduced to rubble.

Bishop Jonathan was among the Church of England’s House of Bishops who released a statement, grieving at an attack at the start of Holy Week for Christians and during the Jewish festival of Passover. It is the fifth such attack since October. One child who had previously suffered a head injury died as a result of the rushed evacuation.

He said: “Staff at this hospital are caring for patients in the most unbearable conditions imaginable. As bishops, we wanted to say – yet again – that there is no justification for targeting hospitals and medical personnel. Hospital staff need to be free to treat the sick and wounded without thinking they could be bombed at any moment, which is why they are protected under international humanitarian law.

“The Israeli government have provided no clear evidence of their claim that the hospital is being used by Hamas. We would like to see an independent, transparent investigation into this attack, which could also examine whether the hospital is, in fact, being misused.

“There is no military solution to the current conflict happening in Gaza and Israel, but there is a ceasefire in place. We ask that the ceasefire agreement is respected, hostages are released and humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza. We are asking the British government to renew its efforts to ask Israel to abide by humanitarian law.

“We join in prayer over this Easter season for all those suffering on all sides because of the current conflict. As we recall the death and resurrection of our Saviour Jesus – who is the Prince of Peace – we pray and cry out for an end to this violence and plead for justice for all Palestinians and Israelis.”