Alarm as Israeli forces move closer to crowded areas in southern Gaza

Prospect of close combat in overpopulated area ‘deeply concerning’, say aid officials, while Gaza’s largest functioning hospital may have to close

As Israeli forces have moved further into southern Gaza, airstrikes and close-combat fighting are approaching areas crowded with more than a million people seeking refuge from the destruction across the rest of the territory.

The prospect of major operations taking place in territory with such a dense and vulnerable population is “deeply concerning”, say aid officials, who fear Gaza’s largest remaining hospital may have to be closed or evacuated.