Israel-Hamas war | Gaza’s embattled main hospital buries patients in ‘mass grave’

Mass grave dug at Gaza's main hospital as thousands trapped inside by fierce combat. 11,240 Palestinians, mostly civilians, killed in Israel's relentless assault. UN estimates 2,300 people in Al-Shifa hospital, unable to escape due to fighting. US air strikes kill 8 pro-Iran fighters in Syria, Israel strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon. West Bank clashes leave 8 Palestinians dead. Qatar mediates talks on possible deal to free hostages.

Gaza’s main hospital has been forced to bury scores of dead patients in a mass grave, its director said on November 14, while thousands of Palestinians were trapped inside by fierce combat.

Israeli forces were at the gates of the sprawling Al-Shifa hospital they say sits atop an underground Hamas command base, but the militants deny the charge while doctors say patients and people seeking shelter were stranded in horrific conditions.

“There are bodies littered in the hospital complex and there is no longer electricity at the morgues,” said Al-Shifa hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya, adding that 179 bodies had been interred so far.

“We were forced to bury them in a mass grave,” he said, adding that seven babies and 29 intensive care patients were among those who had died after fuel for the hospital’s generator ran out.

A witness said the stench of decomposing bodies was everywhere in the Gaza City facility as bombardment and gunfire echoed constantly in the area.

The United Nations estimates that at least 2,300 people — patients, staff and displaced civilians — are inside and may be unable to escape because of fierce fighting from the facility where supplies are nearly exhausted.

Israel says it is not targeting the hospital, but has vowed to destroy Hamas in response to the attacks of October 7, which killed an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in 240 hostages being taken to Gaza.