Palestinian youths transport bodies in a horse-pulled cart, near the Ahli Arabi hospital in Gaza City, on Jan 31, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (PHOTO / AFP)

GAZA - The Gaza Health Ministry warned Wednesday against potential massive deaths of people injured in Israeli strikes and waiting for assistance at hospitals in the Khan Younis city, south Gaza.

The catastrophic situation in hospitals of Khan Younis threatens the lives of many wounded people due to the lack of medical facilities and the continued siege by the Israeli forces of hospitals, the ministry said in a statement.

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Food has run out at the Nasser Medical Complex and the Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis as Israel bears full responsibility, it said.

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The ministry urged the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN agencies to "protect hospitals in Khan Younis and protect those present in them, and provide food and urgent needs."

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The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 26,900, with 65,949 others wounded, since Oct 7, 2023, according to the statement.