Hamas representatives claim that 13 individuals died in an explosion near Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

At least 13 people have died in an explosion outside Gaza City's largest hospital, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. BBC Verify has confirmed the authenticity of graphic videos showing severely injured and potentially dead individuals outside the hospital. The Israeli military has confirmed that it targeted and struck an ambulance it claims was being used by Hamas operatives. However, the military did not disclose the location of the air strike. The IDF stated that the ambulance was being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in close proximity to their position in a battle zone. The military accused Hamas of using ambulances to transport militants and weapons but has yet to provide evidence to support this claim. The IDF emphasized that the area is a battle zone and repeatedly called on civilians to evacuate for their own safety. BBC Verify analyzed three videos, one of which was extremely graphic, and determined that they were filmed outside Al-Shifa hospital and uploaded on Friday afternoon. The footage shows people lying in pools of blood on the road, some severely injured and others motionless. No crater or debris can be seen, but there is damage to the front of an ambulance and some cars on the road have smashed windows. According to a statement from the Hamas government, Israeli forces targeted a convoy of ambulances transporting wounded individuals from Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City to Rafah in the south. Egypt's health ministry stated that only 17 wounded Palestinians were evacuated for treatment in Egyptian hospitals on Friday instead of the originally planned 28 due to the "events" at Al-Shifa. The head of the World Health Organization expressed shock at the explosion and reiterated the need to protect patients, health workers, facilities, and ambulances at all times. Bisan Owda, a Palestinian filmmaker, witnessed the attack and described the chaos and devastation. In addition to patients at Al-Shifa, thousands of people are taking refuge from Israeli air strikes at the hospital. Ms. Owda mentioned that many cannot find space inside the hospital and are forced to sleep in nearby streets. The Israeli military claims that there is a major Hamas headquarters beneath the hospital. Israel launched airstrikes in response to Hamas killing over 1,400 people in Israel and kidnapping over 240 others. A ground operation has also been initiated, and Israeli forces have encircled Gaza City. To ensure their safety, Israel has instructed people to move to the southern part of the Gaza Strip, resulting in hundreds of thousands leaving Gaza City and the northern areas. However, there are still many thousands of individuals remaining in the northern part of Gaza. As a result of ongoing Israeli air strikes and overcrowded conditions in the southern Gaza Strip, some Palestinians have decided to return to their homes in the north. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that over 9,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7th.