The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, has called for urgent access for aid to resupply hospitals in Gaza.

This comes as people in the Diocese and further afield have collectively raised more than £55,000 for the Al-Ahli hospital appeal.

Rt Rev Usher said: “I am grateful for the overwhelming generosity of people to the appeal for the Al-Ahli hospital. Back in October it was a place delivering care for the poorest of the poor.

"They specialised in care for children and women, including mammography services. It was a place of compassion and hope.

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"All that has changed and the hospital can barely function. I cry out in despair.”

During a speech in the House of Lords on February 8, Rt Revd Usher said: “There is an urgent need for medical staff, for fuel, for food for critical medical supplies such as bone stabilisers, antibiotics and anaesthetics across Gaza’s hospitals.”

He also urged the Government to “hear the cries of medics in Gaza and press the State of Israel for the WHO to have sustained access to resupply hospitals across the Gaza Strip so that they can continue to function.”

A visit to Israel and Gaza with Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, in October 2023, saw the pair pray with medical staff at Al-Ahli.

Days after their visit, a deadly attack was launched on Israel by Hamas.

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Before the outbreak of conflict, more than 45,000 people were treated at the hospital annually.

The funds raised from the appeal will be used to support the urgent work of the Al-Ahli hospital, with plans to divert the funds towards other medical supports if the facility ceases to function.

As of February 8, a total of 150 critically ill patients remained in the hospital 'without adequate medical supplies'.