Archbishop Justin Welby has called for the Israeli evacuation order on Gaza's hospitals to be reversed, after an Anglican-run hospital in Gaza was struck by Israeli rocket fire last night. 

"Hospitals and patients in Gaza are in grave danger. The seriously ill and injured patients at the Anglican-run Ahli Hospital - and other healthcare facilities in northern Gaza - cannot be safely evacuated.

"They are running low on medical supplies. They are facing catastrophe." 

Four staff are said to have been injured in the blast at The Ahli Hospital.

"I appeal for the evacuation order on hospitals in northern Gaza to be reversed - and for health facilities, health workers, patients and civilians to be protected.

In a statemnt, the Archbisop described  attacks on Israelis by Hamas " as "evil and barbaric" and "a blasphemous outrage." 

However, he stressed that "the civilians of Gaza are not responsible for the crimes of Hamas."

Archbishop Welby has implored Christians to "continue to pray for all innocent people, Israeli and Palestinian, who are caught up in the terrible violence in the Holy Land."