Gaza, Nov 13 (Online): Medics have warned of mounting casualties among patients, including newborn babies, and concern of spreading disease is growing, as Israeli forces approach the gates of al-Shifa, Gaza City\u2019s main hospital.
\nBesieged for days by Israel\u2019s military, doctors inside the hospital reiterated on Monday that the lack of fuel for electricity generators is leaving them unable to save patients. Israel has refused to back down, claiming that the hospital hides a Hamas base.<\/p>\n
Fighting has been concentrated in a tightening circle around the Gaza Strip\u2019s largest hospital, where thousands of civilians have sought shelter.
\nThe Israeli military, whose ground forces entered the Strip in late October and quickly encircled the north\u2019s main settlement Gaza City, has said that al-Shifa is the primary target in its battle to seize control of the northern half of the enclave.
\nIsrael says that Hamas fighters have an underground headquarters in tunnels beneath the hospital and are deliberately using its patients as a shield, a claim that Hamas denies.
\nReports on Monday suggested that thousands of people have fled the hospital. But huge numbers also remain trapped within.
\nAt least 650 patients remain, as well as staff, said Gaza\u2019s Ministry of Health spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra, who was inside al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City
\nHe said an Israel tank was stationed at the hospital gate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tank is outside the gate of the outpatient clinic department, this is how the situation looks this morning,\u201d al-Qudra told the Reuters news agency by phone.
\nIsraeli snipers and drones were firing into the hospital, making it impossible for medics and patients to move around, he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are besieged and are inside a circle of death,\u201d he said.
\nThe official said that 32 patients had died in the past three days, including three newborn babies, as a result of the siege of the hospital and the cut-off of its power.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gaza, Nov 13 (Online): Medics have warned of mounting casualties among patients, including newborn babies, and concern of spreading disease is growing, as Israeli forces approach the gates of al-Shifa, Gaza City\u2019s main hospital. Besieged for days by Israel\u2019s military, doctors inside the hospital reiterated […]<\/p>\n
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