At least four people have been killed and many injured in an Israeli attack on the al-Aqsa hospital area in Dayr al-Balah in central Gaza Strip.
In video clips, several explosions and open fires can be seen on the site, where many Palestinians fleeing the war had set up camp. A number of tents caught fire from the explosions, resulting in a major fire, according to media reports. Hours later, images show a large burned-out area.
There were so many burned and charred bodies everywhere, says eyewitness Om Ahmad Radi, who woke up to the sound of explosions, to Qatar-based Al Jazeera.
Fahd al-Haddad, head of the emergency department at al-Aqsa, tells the media company that many of the victims are women and children with third-degree burns, so-called full-thickness burns.
Attack on food station
At least 25 people are reported to have been taken to Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza with severe burns, but the total number of injured is believed to be much higher. The news agency AP reports on small children with bandaged bodies and patients receiving blood transfusions lying on the floor.
The Israeli military claims in a statement that al-Aqsa hospital was used by Hamas terrorists. The military also says it has taken "several measures to minimize the risk of harming civilians".
Later on Monday morning, at least ten people are reported to have been killed in an Israeli attack on a food distribution station in Jabalia in northern Gaza. Another 30 people are said to have been injured, including women and children.
Was to be used for vaccination
Hours earlier, late on Sunday evening, at least 20 people were killed when a school converted into a hospital in Nuseirat was bombed by Israel. Among the dead are children, according to reports from two local hospitals.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, reports on X that the bombed school was to be used for polio vaccination of children. Today, the second phase of the large-scale polio vaccination campaign in Gaza begins, a month after the first phase was successfully completed.
The campaign was launched after the first polio case in 25 years was detected in the war-torn strip – a 10-month-old boy who is now paralyzed in one leg due to the disease.
