KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Palestinian authorities have made a plea for a cease-fire to enable the evacuation of three dozen newborns and other patients trapped inside Gaza’s largest hospital. The situation has become increasingly dire as Israeli forces continue to battle Hamas in the streets just outside the hospital, while also seizing more ground across northern Gaza.

The Israeli army has surrounded Shifa Hospital for days, claiming that Hamas uses the facility as a hiding place and command base, which puts civilians at risk. However, hospital staff and Hamas deny these allegations. The ongoing standoff has left hundreds of patients, staff, and displaced individuals trapped inside, with dwindling supplies and no electricity to power essential medical equipment.

The situation at Shifa Hospital is just one part of the larger conflict in Gaza City and the surrounding northern part of the Gaza Strip. Israel has stated its intention to uproot Hamas rule in Gaza but has also acknowledged uncertainty about what will happen to the territory post-Hamas. The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll on Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinian residents, resulting in a significant loss of life and displacement.

At Shifa Hospital, where electricity has been out for days, the Health Ministry reported that 40 patients, including three babies, have died since the emergency generator ran out of fuel. Another 36 babies are at risk of dying due to the lack of power for incubators. The situation has prompted the Health Ministry to propose an evacuation with the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross, but they have not received a response.

While Israel claims it is willing to allow the evacuation of staff and patients, reports from Palestinians who have managed to leave suggest that Israeli forces have fired at evacuees. However, the Israeli military has not provided visual evidence to support its claims of a Hamas command center within the hospital.

The conflict in Gaza City has made it difficult to obtain independent accounts of the situation, as communications to the north have largely collapsed. Videos released by the Israeli military show intense fighting in the city, with troops navigating through the streets and engaging in combat with Hamas fighters. The military believes it has made significant gains, including the capture of key buildings, but details of the extent of Hamas losses remain unconfirmed.

In the southern part of Gaza, where civilians have been urged to flee due to the conflict, deteriorating conditions have compounded the humanitarian crisis. The U.N.-run shelters in the south are overwhelmed, with shortages of basic necessities and a lack of proper facilities for the displaced population. The situation is dire, with no end in sight.

As the conflict in Gaza continues, the plight of civilians, including newborns and patients trapped in hospitals, remains a grave concern. The urgent need for a cease-fire to facilitate the evacuation of vulnerable individuals is a critical priority in the midst of the escalating violence.