Israel is fighting Hamas in southern Gaza and the local government sees the risk of medical facilities collapsing

The Gaza Ministry of Health warned on Sunday that medical facilities were at risk of collapsing in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis, which has now become the focus of the Israeli offensive, as fighting intensifies in the Palestinian enclave.

Residents said that Israeli planes and tanks also attacked areas north of Gaza City, where Israel is withdrawing its forces. Sounds of fighting could be heard in the neighboring towns of Beit Lahia and Jabalia.

The Israeli army said that it participated in “violent battles” in Khan Yunis, where it said that the forces “eliminated the terrorists and found large quantities of weapons.”

The military wing of Hamas and Islamic Jihad said that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces in several areas of the Gaza Strip during the night. The military wing of Hamas said that its fighters destroyed two Israeli tanks in Khan Yunis.

The latest fighting comes as UN officials and aid organizations urge countries to reconsider a decision to suspend funding from the UN refugee agency for Palestinians, a vital source of aid in Gaza.

At least nine countries have suspended funding following Israeli allegations that 12 UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October.