Around it Al Shifa Hospital the battles of the Israeli forces with the Hamas gunmen have been transferred. The IDF confirmed that it has now approached the site, where it is believed to be the headquarters of Hamas and where the head of the organization and his staff have taken refuge.

Her government Hamas reported 13 deaths in Al-Sifa, while a doctor at the hospital said he knew of one death but could not confirm any others.

An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Col Peter Lerner, confirmed to the BBC Newshour that their troops are there, saying: “Hamas has chosen to strategically place its terrorist capabilities in, under and around the hospitals. We’re trying to encourage people who are in hospitals to evacuate.”

Ayman Al Masri, one of the thousands of displaced people, also decided to flee to the south after previously seeking shelter at Al Shifa Hospital with his mother and sister 10 days ago. He hopes, as he said, to find safety elsewhere, after today’s attack by the Israelis.

“Today they hit Al Shifa… Everyone started running in the streets and we got here on foot,” Masri said to Reuters agency, while heading south with many other people. Some held white flags, others carried their meager possessions, mattresses and suitcases.

He and his family walked for three kilometers, passed between the Israeli tanks advancing towards the city and continued on their way for a few more kilometers until someone helped them by taking them in his car.

“My legs hurt,” said Masri, who had recently been treated at another hospital with a leg injury. “Today we are heading south, tomorrow they may send us north. This is not a solution. We want a truce”he added.