Israeli forces entered Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital in the early hours of the day, targeting a Hamas command centre they claim is located below thousands of ailing and sheltering civilians, according to AFP.

Israeli and Palestinian officials said military operations are taking place at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, which has been the focal point of days of fighting and nearby aerial bombardments.

Dr. Munir al-Bursh, director-general of the Gaza health ministry, told Al Jazeera television that Israeli forces have raided the western side of the medical complex.

The Israel Defense Forces said its troops are carrying out “a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area” of the facility.

Youssef Abul Reesh, an official from the health ministry in Gaza who is inside the hospital, told AFP he could see tanks inside the complex and “dozens of soldiers and commandos inside the emergency and reception buildings.”