New Delhi: Several people were killed after an Israeli strike hit a convoy of ambulances that was on its way from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza on Friday, Palestinian health authorities said, news agency AFP reported. A statement issued by the Hamas government said the ambulances, which were transporting the injured people, were heading towards south in Rafah.
“Several citizens were killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli strike at the entrance to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza city,” the health ministry said in a statement.
According to the health ministry spokesperson, the Israel strike targeted the ambulance convoy at multiple locations outside the door of al-Shifa Hospital. He said it was targeted at the hospital gate and at Ansar Square a kilometre away, news agency Reuters reported.
It is to be noted that the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza is facing severe over-crowding as the bed occupancy rate stood at 164 per cent, according to the World Health Organization.
READ | Israel-Hamas War: PM Netanyahu Rules Out Gaza Ceasefire, Hezbollah Hints At Escalation Of Conflict
The Palestinian health ministry said around 16 hospitals in Gaza are not functioning due to lack of fuel and damage from the Israeli airstrikes. The WHO also warned that the fuel shortage could risk the lives of the critical patients in other hospitals.
Meanwhile, as the Israel Hamas war entered its 28th day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no temporary ceasefire in Gaza till all the hostages are released.
"Israel rejects a temporary ceasefire that does not involve the return of our hostages," PM Netanyahu said in a televised address.
He was referring to about 240 people who the Hamas had abducted during the surprise attack they unleashed on October 7.