GAZA STRIP, Palestinian Territories, March  2, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The health
ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said an Israeli strike hit tents housing displaced
civilians near a hospital in the southern city of Rafah Saturday, killing 11
and wounding dozens.

       A paramedic was among those killed and children were wounded in the blast
close to the Emirati Maternity Hospital, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra
said in a statement.

       "Eleven citizens were martyred and about 50 injured, including children, as
a result of Israeli forces targeting tents of displaced people near the Emirati
hospital," Qudra said.

       The Israeli military said it was looking into the incident.

       Footage posted on social media, which AFP could not independently verify,
appeared to show bloodied bodies in the streets as crowds gathered, with men
carrying away the wounded for treatment.

       An AFP journalist saw wounded people being rushed on stretchers to the
Kuwaiti Hospital, also in Rafah.

       "Destruction is everywhere and there are many martyrs," said Rafah resident
Belal Abu Jekhleh.

       "Suddenly the glass shattered and a fire broke out. Everyone fled, some of
whom were martyred and others injured. I was injured in my hands and head, and
my brother was also injured."

       Israeli troops have carried out multiple operations in and around hospitals
in the Gaza Strip since they launched their offensive in the Palestinian
territory.

       Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas militants of using hospitals for
military purposes, something the Palestinian group denies.

       An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, raising
fears of mass casualties if Israel goes through with a planned ground invasion
of the city.

       Mediators are scrambling to secure a new truce ahead of the Muslim fasting
month of Ramadan, which begins on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunar
calendar.

       The war in Gaza broke out with Hamas's unprecedented attack on southern
Israel on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostly
civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.

       Israel's retaliatory military campaign against Hamas has killed at least
30,320 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.