In the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli airstrikes have recently focused on Gaza hospitals, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

These attacks have raised concerns about the safety of civilians and the availability of critical medical care in Gaza.

Residents said Israeli troops, who went to war to eliminate Hamas after it staged a bloody cross-border assault on Oct. 7, had been clashing with Hamas gunmen all night in and around Gaza City where the hospital is located.

The military wing of Hamas ally Islamic Jihad, the Al-Quds Brigades, posted on social media: “We are engaged in violent clashes in the vicinity of Al Shifa Medical Complex, Al-Nasr neighbourhood, and Al-Shati camp in Gaza.”

The Al-Nasr neighbourhood is home to several major hospitals.

An Israeli military spokesperson was asked at a briefing if troops planned to enter Gaza hospitals at some point.

“The hospitals need to be evacuated in order to deal with Hamas,” the spokesperson said. “We intend on dealing with Hamas who have turned hospitals into fortified positions.”

Hamas says it does not use hospitals for its military purposes.

Israel said earlier it had killed what it called a Hamas “terrorist” who it said had prevented the evacuation of another hospital in the north, which Palestinian officials have said is out of service and surrounded by tanks.

“(Ahmed) Siam held hostage approximately 1,000 Gazan residents at the Rantissi Hospital and prevented them from evacuating southwards for their safety,” an Israeli military statement said.

It said Siam was killed along with other militants while hiding in the “al Buraq” school. Palestinian officials told Reuters on Friday at least 25 Palestinians had been killed in an Israeli strike at the school, which was packed with evacuees.