One of Gaza's last functioning hospitals is emptying out as Israeli forces draw near

One of Gaza’s last functioning hospitals has been emptying out in recent days as Israel has ordered the evacuation of nearby areas. The military has signaled a possible ground operation in Deir al-Balah, a town that has been largely spared throughout the 10-month-old war ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is the main hospital serving central Gaza. The military has not ordered its evacuation, but patients and people sheltering there fear that it may be engulfed in fighting or targeted in an Israeli raid. The hospital said Monday that it was treating more than 600 patients before the exodus and now only has around 100, including seven in intensive care.