UN says humanitarian crisis now at its worst after Israel strikes second Gaza hospital

The UN warned yesterday that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now the worst it has been since the conflict began, as a medic was killed in an Israeli strike, the second in three days on medical facilities.

- Hannah Ellis-Petersen

The attack yesterday came two days after another major hospital was targeted, and as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was making a visit to the territory.

According to medical staff, the latest strike hit the Kuwaiti field hospital in al-Mawasi, near the city of Khan Younis. One medic died and nine others were wounded.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are living in the area, mostly in ragged makeshift tents alongside sand dunes. They left their homes after Israeli forces resumed the conflict and seized swathes of southern Gaza, including Rafah city, which Palestinians are banned from entering.

Yesterday, Netanyahu made a rare visit to Gaza, as Israeli forces have continued their air and ground offensive since the collapse of the ceasefire in March. The visit was confirmed by his office, which said he had visited troops in northern Gaza.

Just two days previously, an Israeli missile partially destroyed al-Ahli hospital, which was the only facility still providing critical care in northern Gaza. Doctors said the blast had left the hospital barely operational and unable to carry out surgeries or accept any more patients.