Five killed in Israeli air strike on tent camp in central Gaza

The Israeli army struck a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in the courtyard of al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital early Sunday, killing five people and wounding at least 18 others, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in the hospital in Deir al-Balah, one of the few operational hospitals in central Gaza.

Footage on social media showed Palestinians rushing to rescue the wounded and extinguish the large fire caused by the attack.

“The night was relatively calm when we heard a deafening sound of an explosion. I ran to the window, thinking the strike had hit an area near the hospital. But to my shock, they [Israeli forces] had hit inside the hospital’s compound, a few metres away from us,” Ali Tawil, a doctor at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, told Middle East Eye.

“I saw fire raging, people running in all directions, a state of hysteria and panic. I tried to compose myself quickly and rushed to the emergency room to treat people. Some had burns and others had shrapnel wounds.”

Tawil added: “The scene was horrific. It was extremely difficult.”

Read more: Five killed in Israeli air strike on tent camp in central Gaza