DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) - As the Israel-Hamas war escalates, thousands of Palestinians sought refuge at the main hospital in Gaza City, only to be forced to flee after reported strikes in and around the compound overnight. The increasing exodus of people escaping the intense urban fighting in the north, including near other hospitals, has intensified the search for safety across the besieged Gaza Strip. The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 11,000, according to officials.

According to Israeli reports, more than 100,000 Palestinians have fled south over the past two days, with many facing bombardment and dire conditions. The overnight strikes on or near at least four hospitals in northern Gaza emphasized the danger faced by tens of thousands of displaced individuals who had sought refuge there, believing it to be a safe haven.

Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, was struck at least three times over several hours, targeting both the courtyard and the obstetrics department. Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson at the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, blamed Israel for the attack, although this claim could not be independently verified.

Israel has accused Hamas of establishing its military infrastructure within Gaza City's hospitals and neighborhoods, vowing to destroy the militant group following its deadly incursion on October 7. Hamas and hospital staff deny these claims.

For weeks, tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought shelter in the overcrowded Shifa complex, which has operated with minimal power and medical supplies. The strikes triggered a mass exodus of the displaced, with large numbers seen packing up their belongings and heading south.

While it remains unclear how many individuals remain at Shifa, those who left have cited fear and the overwhelming nature of the attacks as reasons for their departure. Wafaa abu Hajajj, a journalist who arrived in the south after leaving the hospital, stated that mainly those who couldn't walk or didn't know where to go remained behind.

Meanwhile, Shifa Hospital continues to struggle with the influx of thousands of wounded patients, operating with limited resources. Disturbing footage released by the Gaza Health Ministry shows bodies of injured children strewn across blood-stained floors, with some barely breathing and others gasping for air due to the lack of supplies.

The director of Shifa, Mohammed Abu Selmia, stated that Israel has demanded the evacuation of the facility, but there is nowhere for such a large number of patients to go. In addition to the strikes on Shifa, Gaza health officials reported attacks on three other hospitals overnight, all of which were housing displaced people and patients.

The Israeli army claimed that one strike on Shifa was a misfire by militants targeting Israeli troops nearby. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht stated that Israel is aware of the sensitivity surrounding hospitals and does not intentionally fire at them. However, if militants are seen firing from these facilities, the army will respond accordingly.

The escalating conflict has led to a mass exodus of Palestinians from the north, with tens of thousands making their way on foot toward the south. The journey is perilous, with explosions echoing in the distance and limited fuel for vehicles. Reem Asant, 50, recounted seeing bodies on the streets as they tried to navigate their way out of Gaza City to escape the shelling.

As the war continues, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 11,070 Palestinians, the majority of them women and minors, have been killed since the conflict began, while another 2,650 people are reported missing.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over the high number of Palestinian casualties, stating that recent Israeli measures to minimize civilian harm are insufficient. Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf even suggested that the death toll could be higher than the figures reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.

In addition to the human toll, the conflict has also taken its toll on Israeli civilians. Over 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, mainly due to an initial attack by Hamas, with 41 Israeli soldiers losing their lives in Gaza since the ground offensive began. The ongoing rocket attacks from Palestinian militants, including an attack on Tel Aviv that wounded two people, have further contributed to the distress and displacement of both Israelis and Palestinians.

As tensions mount, with both sides accusing each other of using sensitive buildings as cover for military activities, the search for safety in the Gaza Strip remains a desperate race against time.