Battles rage around Gaza's Al Shifa hospital as Israel claims to have killed 170 Hamas gunmen

Smoke rises from Gaza today, March 23, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen.

Nidal al-Mughrabi

Fighting raged on Saturday around Gaza's main hospital where Israel says it has so far killed more than 170 gunmen in an extensive raid, which the Palestinian Health Ministry says has also resulted in the deaths of five patients.

The armed wing of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad said their fighters were engaged in battles with the Israeli forces outside and around the vicinity of Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, though Hamas denies any presence inside the facility.