Concern over dire situation at Gaza’s main hospital

By Nathan Morley

US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are both pushing for greater protection of Palestinian hospitals and civilians.

Their comments come as the World Health Organization said the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City "is not functioning as a hospital anymore".

A doctor at the hospital said more than 30 babies need to be moved to a site in Egypt if they are going to survive because of the worsening conditions at the facility.

The World Health Organization said with a lack of power at the complex patient care is more difficult, or in some cases, impossible.

Reports suggest around 2,000 people are trapped at the facility as Israel continues its campaign against Hamas, which it insists, has its headquarters underneath the building.

Several news media outlets reported from Gaza on Tuesday that 170 bodies were being buried in a mass grave at the hospital.

Unabated fighting

Meanwhile, heavy fighting has continued through the night in the northern Gaza Strip. Video posted online showed powerful flares lighting up the night sky, and plumes of smoke from explosions.

Aid groups say the intensity of the conflict is making the use of evacuation routes almost impossible.

Elsewhere, the United States has carried out air strikes on two Iranian bases in Syria, following attacks against its military personnel in Syria and Iraq.

Israel began bombarding Gaza after Hamas killed more than 1,200 people in Israel and abducted more than 200 others.

The Hamas-run health ministry says more than 11,000 people have been killed since 7 October.