Israel informs health officials it will raid al-Shifa hospital 'in minutes'

Israel has informed health officials in Gaza that it intends to raid the besieged al-Shifa hospital in the coming minutes, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel instructed Palestinian health workers by phone not to approach the windows or doors of Al-Shifa Hospital, Ashraf al-Qudra, the Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman in Gaza told Al Jazeera. 

Israeli military vehicles have been encircling al-Shifa hospital from all directions throughout the day. There has been continuous artillery shelling and heavy gunfire around the hospital, Palestinian authorities in Gaza say.