HUNDREDS DIE IN HUGE BLAST AT GAZA HOSPITAL

Palestians seeking shelter among the many trapped in rubble

- Allister Hagger and Michael Knowles

HUNDREDS of Palestinians were feared dead as a massive explosion tore through a Gaza City hospital last night.

Officials claimed an Israeli air strike killed up to 800 at the al-Ahli clinic but Israel blamed a failed rocket launch against the country by terrorists. Thousands of displaced civilians had been sheltering in the hospital compound at the time of the blast.

Unverified images seemed to show scattered body parts as flames engulfed the debris, where members of terror group Hamas claimed hundreds were trapped.

Other photos depicted maimed casualties being rushed away on stretchers as wrecked cars littered the rubble-strewn street.

Unconfirmed footage appeared to show a huge explosion and an unnamed doctor said there was total devastation at the compound where some 4,000 people had reportedly been seeking refuge from Israeli retaliatory strikes on Hamas infrastructure.

He claimed 80% of the hospital was put out of action by the explosion. If confirmed as an attack it would be by far the deadliest Israeli air strike in five wars since 2008.

Several hospitals in the besieged enclave have become makeshift havens for thousands of people hoping to escape a bombardment by Israel Defence Forces.

Israel has ordered all residents of Gaza City and the surrounding area to evacuate to Gaza Strip's south ahead of an expected ground offensive by the IDF, after Hamas butchered more than 1,400 Israelis in a surprise invasion ten days ago.