GAZA — A deadly burst of attacks hit hospitals and a school where desperate civilians in Gaza City have sought refuge from intense combat, according to testament from several sources in Gaza.
"There is no safe place left. The army hit al-Shifa. I don't know what to do," said 32-year-old Abu Mohammad, who was among those seeking refuge at the hospital. "There is shooting... at the hospital. We are afraid to go out."
Al-Shifa's director and Gaza's Health Ministry, which reported a death toll of 13, blamed Israeli forces for a strike on the hospital, while the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli snipers shot at al-Quds hospital, killing at least one person.
Around 50 people were killed in strikes that hit Gaza City's al-Buraq school, said the director of Al-Shifa hospital where the dead were taken.
Israel offered no comment on the incidents and AFP could not immediately confirm the tolls.
The Israeli army has repeatedly accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of using hospitals, particularly al-Shifa, to coordinate their attacks and also as hideouts for its commanders. Hamas authorities deny the accusations. Healthcare workers at al-Shifa Hospital have also refuted these claims. Human Rights Watch said on their official X account that they too "cannot corroborate this allegation."
Heavy fighting raged near al-Shifa hospital, with Israel saying it had killed dozens of militants and destroyed tunnels that are key to Hamas's capacity to fight.
Israel launched an offensive in Gaza after Hamas fighters poured across the heavily militarized border on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people and taking around 240 hostages.
Vowing to destroy the militants, Israel retaliated with bombardment and a ground campaign that the Gaza Health Ministry says has killed more than 11,000 people, mostly civilians and many of them children.
"Last night, I wasn't optimistic that any of my children or I would come out unharmed, given the intensity of the bombing and gunfire," said Jawad Haruda, who was among thousands walking south, in an exodus away from Gaza City.
Witnesses told AFP that hundreds of people sheltering at Gaza City's Al-Rantisi hospital fled on instruction from the Israeli military, which was surrounding it with armored vehicles.
"There is no safe place left. The army hit al-Shifa. I don't know what to do," said 32-year-old Abu Mohammad, who was among those seeking refuge at the hospital. "There is shooting... at the hospital. We are afraid to go out."
Al-Shifa's director and Gaza's Health Ministry, which reported a death toll of 13, blamed Israeli forces for a strike on the hospital, while the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli snipers shot at al-Quds hospital, killing at least one person.
Around 50 people were killed in strikes that hit Gaza City's al-Buraq school, said...
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