2 Gaza hospitals out of service after Israeli shelling

Gaza-based health authorities said Monday that two hospitals in Gaza City have ceased operations after being damaged by Israeli attacks, worsening the health crisis in the enclave amid ongoing hostilities, reported Xinhua.

According to a press statement by the authorities, the Al-Rantisi Children's Hospital and the Nasser Eye Hospital were rendered non-functional "following repeated shelling." The Nasser facility was the only public hospital providing ophthalmology services in Gaza.

The authorities accused Israel of "deliberately and systematically targeting the health services system in the Gaza Strip," noting that roads to hospitals have become unsafe.

The Israeli army has been intensifying its assault on Gaza City. Eyewitnesses said Israeli tanks invaded the Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood in the western part of the city, attacking residential houses.

Palestinian medical sources told Xinhua that out of the 35 Palestinians killed Monday in Gaza by Israeli attacks, 28 were from Gaza City.

Within 24 hours, Gaza hospitals received 61 bodies and 220 injuries, bringing the total death toll in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023 to 65,344, with more than 166,000 injuries, the health authorities said, adding that among the casualties, 2,523 deaths and some 18,500 injuries were caused while people were attempting to obtain humanitarian aid.

The latest development came as Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal recognized the State of Palestine on Sunday. Several other countries, including France and Belgium, are expected to follow suit on Monday, ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.