Gaza officials say Israeli strike near Rafah hospital kills 11

A paramedic was among those killed and children were wounded in the blastclose to the Emirati Maternity Hospital, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudrasaid in a statement.
"Eleven citizens were martyred and about 50 injured, including children, asa result of Israeli forces targeting tents of displaced people near the Emiratihospital," Qudra said.
The Israeli military said it was looking into the incident.
Footage posted on social media, which AFP could not independently verify,appeared to show bloodied bodies in the streets as crowds gathered, with mencarrying away the wounded for treatment.
An AFP journalist saw wounded people being rushed on stretchers to theKuwaiti Hospital, also in Rafah.
"Destruction is everywhere and there are many martyrs," said Rafah residentBelal Abu Jekhleh.
"Suddenly the glass shattered and a fire broke out. Everyone fled, some ofwhom were martyred and others injured. I was injured in my hands and head, andmy brother was also injured."
Israeli troops have carried out multiple operations in and around hospitalsin the Gaza Strip since they launched their offensive in the Palestinianterritory.
Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas militants of using hospitals formilitary purposes, something the Palestinian group denies.
An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge in Rafah, raisingfears of mass casualties if Israel goes through with a planned ground invasionof the city.
Mediators are scrambling to secure a new truce ahead of the Muslim fastingmonth of Ramadan, which begins on March 10 or 11, depending on the lunarcalendar, reports BSS.
The war in Gaza broke out with Hamas's unprecedented attack on southernIsrael on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of around 1,160 people, mostlycivilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.
Israel's retaliatory military campaign against Hamas has killed at least30,320 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.