In photos: Israeli strike on Gaza hospital sets makeshift tents on fire

A pre-dawn Israeli air strike hit the yards of the al-Aqsa Martyr's hospital in the central Gaza Strip's Deir al-Balah on Monday, causing a fire in makeshift tents used by displaced people.

The fire engulfed several shelters while people slept inside. Eyewitness described civilians burning to death with people unable to stop the fire due to lack of equipment.

At least four people were killed and 40 wounded, some seriously, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The Gaza-based media office said this was the seventh Israeli attack on yards of the al-Aqsa Martyr's hospital.

All photos taken by Ramadan Abed for Reuters

The attack took place around 2 AM local time, as people slept in their tents

People attempted to stop the fire using basic tools

The Palestinian civil defence, which has been repeatedly attacked by Israeli forces for over a year, lacked the equipment for a speedy response

Many of those killed and wounded were children and women

Eyewitnesses described shocking scenes of entire families burning to death inside their tents

This is the seventh Israeli attack on the hospital in Deir al-Balah, an area considered safe for civilians — This is the seventh Israeli attack on the hospital in Deir al-Balah, an area considered 'safe' for civilians