Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said on Monday that Israeli forces attacked an Indonesian hospital in the north of the war-torn Palestinian territory and killed at least 12 people, including patients.
Dozens of people were injured and about 700 remained trapped inside a “besieged” medical center, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said, bringing the death toll in Gaza to more than 13,000.
Israel had no immediate comment, but stepped up its subdued air and ground campaign aimed at destroying Hamas in the October 7 attack, which it said killed 1,200 and took 240 as hostages.
Gaza’s devastated health sector suffered the latest blow as hopes rose that 31 premature babies evacuated from another hospital, al-Shifa, would be flown from a Gaza clinic to safety in Egypt via the Rafah crossing.
Meanwhile frantic diplomatic efforts were underway to seal an agreement for the release of some of the hostages. Mediator Qatar expressed hope on Sunday that a deal was near, but Israel and Hamas have not yet reported any agreement.
The bloodiest Gaza war to date has reduced much of the coastal strip to ruins and in recent days Israeli troops attacked, captured and evacuated the largest hospital, al-Shifa, Hundreds of people fled on foot towards southern Gaza.