Panic in Khan Younis hospital as Israel orders evacuation amid further strikes

Dozens have been killed and injured in Israeli attacks on a UN-funded school and crowds travelling to Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza city yesterday.

At least 10 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a school operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza’s Al Rimal district, the official Wafa news agency reported.

Two people were also killed when a cemetery in Al Daraj was bombed. Others seeking refuge at Al Shifa Hospital were wounded when the army “opened fire” in the direction of the medical complex.

Attacks were reported across Gaza city, Beit Lahia and Khan Younis.

Civilians near the Palestine Red Crescent’s Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis were told to evacuate the complex, the organisation said, forcing thousands of displaced people to leave the compound.

“There is a state of panic and tension which prevails among the displaced citizens,” Muhammad Abu Musabeh, director of the ambulance and emergency centre, said. “We, the medical teams and the displaced citizens, are now at the hospital, waiting to take a decision. Evacuation can only occur through co-ordination or a humanitarian route to ensure the safety of those in the area.”

Mr Abu Musabeh said a growing number of internally displaced people are moving towards Al Amal Hospital.

“Presumably, they believe that this place is protected or falls within the scope of protection beyond the message of the occupation forces,” he said.

Several people have been killed at or near the entrance to the hospital in the nine days it has been under siege by the Israeli army. Oxygen supplies at the medical complex have run out and doctors are no longer

Civilians near the Palestine Red Crescent’s Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis were told to evacuate the complex

able to perform operations. About 150 people have been buried in a mass grave at Al Nasser Hospital, which is also under siege.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said talks to broker a hostage deal were “constructive” but “significant gaps” remain.

US, Israeli and Egyptian intelligence chiefs met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman for talks.

About 130 hostages remain in the enclave after a four-day truce in November freed more than 100 others and secured the release of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli jails.

Cairo said a “phased but full” detainee swap and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza must form part of any agreement between Israel and Hamas, sources told The National before a summit in Paris.

Hamas has told Egyptian mediators it would not “entertain” any deal that omits a permanent ceasefire”.

War cabinet minister Benny Gantz said Israel’s war with Hamas may last “an entire generation”.