Afternoon update

Good afternoon, MEE readers,

Here is a round-up on the situation in Gaza as Israel continues its bombardment and ramps up its ground invasion of the besieged enclave. 

Health officials from Al-Shifah Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, said it has run out of fuel and suspended all operations as it cannot power its equipment. 

The Palestinian Health Ministry has said one baby has already died in the Al Shifah hospital, and dozens are at risk of dying as they have run out of electricity to power incubators that were keeping them alive. 

Medical staff, patients and displaced Palestinians are also unable to leave the Al Shifah hospital as Israeli forces have besieged the medical facility.

MEE’s Maha Hussein, who is in Gaza, has spoken to medical officials and journalists trapped in the Al Shifah hospital. They have told Middle East Eye that Israeli snipers are stationed outside the Al Shifah hospital and shooting anyone attempting to leave the hospital. 

Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia is holding an extraordinary summit that is hosting Muslim and Arab leaders from across the world. 

Combining summits planned for the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, leaders have come to Riyadh to discuss the situation in Gaza. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened the summit by condemning Israel and called on Israel to stop its aggression in Gaza. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also addressed the summit in Riyadh and urged the US to intervene and stop Israel.