UNICEF / GAZA CHILDREN HOSPITAL

In early 2025, earnest efforts were underway to rehabilitate Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital in Gaza City. Despite more than a year of conflict, the hospital staff and UNICEF remained committed to restoring at least some of the hospital’s vital services. UNICEF

• Video Length: 00:02:15
• Production Date: 14 October 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICTS
• Geographic Subject: GAZA; PALESTINE
• MAMS Id: 3469718
• Parent Id: 3469718
• Alternate Title: unifeed251014c

Description

STORY: UNICEF / GAZA CHILDREN HOSPITAL
TRT: 02:12
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNICEF ON SCREEN
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 13 OCTOBER 2025, GAZA CITY

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital exterior
2. Wide shot, Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital exterior
3. Wide shot, UNICEF staff outside Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital
4. Med shot, interior Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Hamish Young, Emergency Coordinator in Gaza, UNICEF:
“I'm here at Rantisi Hospital shortly after hostilities in Gaza City have ended. As you can see, there is an enormous level of destruction. As well as the hospital being taken out of action, a lot of important equipment like neonatal ventilators, neonatal incubators, for saving the lives of children has also been lost with this destruction. As a result, thousands of children will not have access to critical, lifesaving medical services and the equipment that the doctors and nurses need to save their lives.”
6. Med shot, interior Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Hamish Young, Emergency Coordinator in Gaza, UNICEF:
“UNICEF tried to come and get the equipment out of here several times. Once we were not able to make it because of the fighting. Several other times we were denied permission to come and get it. Many, many children will die. And this is a significant violation of international humanitarian law, which clearly states that civilian infrastructure, like hospitals, must be preserved even during times of conflict.”
8. Med shot, interior hallway Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital

Storyline

In early 2025, earnest efforts were underway to rehabilitate Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital in Gaza City. Despite more than a year of conflict, the hospital staff and UNICEF remained committed to restoring at least some of the hospital’s vital services.

Throughout the first part of 2025, repairs were made to damaged wards and critical water, power, and medical infrastructure. Emergency departments reopened, dialysis machines were reintroduced, and the hospital could reclaim a functioning intensive care unit (ICU) for children.

Yet, tragically, just days before the ceasefire took effect, Al Rantisi was once again struck, and very heavily so. The hospital was destroyed in early October 2025 amid intense hostilities. Its wards collapsed, medical equipment was blasted beyond repair, and dozens of patients—many of them children—were forced to flee under fire.

The hospital’s facade, already scarred by previous assaults, was reduced to rubble. Even the makeshift emergency functions that had limped along were extinguished. Five attempts by UNICEF to go to the hospital to retrieve costly medical equipment failed – the Israeli authorities denied the requests.