Intensified shelling raises fear of potential raid on Khan Younis hospital

After two consecutive nights of heavy Israeli bombardment in Khan Younis, residents are increasingly worried about a potential raid by Israeli ground forces into Nasser hospital, the biggest hospital in the Gaza Strip still functional. 

"The situation in Khan Younis city is deteriorating rapidly as the bombardment intensifies, particularly during the night hours," Wejdan, a 24-year-old Palestinian displaced in Khan Younis, told Middle East Eye.

"People are afraid Israel will invade the hospital, as they did in the north of Gaza. Therefore, they are fleeing the hospital compound towards the Rafah and Al-Mawasi areas. We are unable to go to the local market any more, as it is too close to the hospital."

Mohammed al-Agha, who is displaced with his family in Al-Mawasi, said there has been a massive influx of people coming to the area from Nasser hospital. 

But he warned that with a lack of space, food and medicine, the humanitarian situation is worsening. 

"We are experiencing starvation and disease is spreading," Agha said.

"A humanitarian crisis, similar to the one in Rafah, is reaching extreme levels in Al-Mawasi."

Reporting by Walaa Sabah