Al-Shifa hospital

The World Health Organization has been able to restore communications with health officials at Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, but it is no longer functioning as a hospital.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the constant shooting and bombing has worsened the already critical situation.

Israel faced growing calls Saturday to protect civilians in Gaza as its battle with Hamas encircled the territory's main hospital, where an aid agency described the situation as "catastrophic."

Heavy fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces has raged near Gaza's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, an AFP correspondent at the scene said, stretching the area's already crippled health system.

An Israeli strike on a Gaza ambulance convoy has killed 15 people, Palestinian medics said Saturday, spurring concerns for health workers' safety as Israel accused Hamas of using the vehicles to transport fighters.