The Israeli army has launched an operation around Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, with witnesses reporting air strikes on the devastated neighbourhood where it is located, AFP reports.

Israeli soldiers “are currently conducting a precise operation in the area of the Shifa hospital”, a statement from the military said.

“The operation is based on intelligence information indicating the use of the hospital by senior Hamas terrorists”.

Witnesses in Gaza City told AFP they saw tanks surround the hospital site.