The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says hospitals there have been rendered “completely inoperable”.

“Repeated hostilities in and around hospitals have obliterated the health care system in northern Gaza, putting civilians at an unacceptably grave risk of going without lifesaving care,” the ICRC said in a statement.

It called for respect and protection of medical facilities in line with international humanitarian law.

“This protection is a legal obligation and a moral imperative to preserve human life,” it added, saying that hospitals were a lifeline for those sick or wounded during the conflict.

Last week, Israel launched a major raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, leaving northern Gaza’s last major health facility out of service.

“Kamal Adwan [is] now completely inoperable,” the ICRC statement said.