Israeli troops entered the main hospital in southern Gaza on Thursday in what the army said was a limited operation seeking the remains of hostages taken by Hamas, writes Euronews.

One patient died and seven were wounded when Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis came under fire on Wednesday, according to Dr Khaled Alserr, one of the remaining surgeons at the hospital.

Israel has long accused Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian structures to shield its fighters. Some observers criticise these allegations, criticising what they say is shaky and incomplete evidence that Palestinian militants are using hospitals.

Hospitals should not be attacked under international humanitarian law.

Israel’s military said it had “credible intelligence” that Hamas had held hostages at the hospital and that the remains of hostages captured on October 7 last year might still be inside, but it has yet to provide evidence for independent verification.

The raid came amid warnings by governments around the world that Israel should not attack the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Gaza residents are thought to be sheltering.

Israeli forces ordered civilians to flee to the Egyptian border city, amis their devastating bombing and military campaign in the north.

With negotiations to secure a ceasefire in Gaza apparently stalled, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until Hamas is destroyed and scores of hostages are returned.