Hundreds of patients were trapped and thousands of people sought shelter around Gaza’s largest hospital, as Israeli and Hamas battled near the compound, AFP reports.

The Al-Shifa facility in Gaza City has become a focal point in the territory’s bloodiest-ever war, which erupted five weeks ago.

Witnesses at the hospital told AFP that “violent fighting” raged throughout the night.

The sounds of small arms fire and aerial bombardments were echoing across the sprawling complex, amid reports that the infirm — including children — were dying for lack of basic provisions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other UN agencies said as many as 3,000 patients and staff are sheltering inside without adequate fuel, water or food.