Israel’s military encircled two of the last functioning hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip, staff and aid groups say, as the World Health Organization is warning that the activity is “stretching the health system beyond the breaking point.” 

The development comes as an Israeli military spokesperson said Wednesday that “We are entering a new phase, different in size and strength, to achieve the war’s objectives of returning the kidnapped soldiers and defeating the terrorist [group] Hamas. 

“Forces from the 401st Brigade and the Givati Brigade, under the command of the 162nd Division, began operating in the northern Gaza Strip, where they identified and destroyed suspicious buildings in the area and eliminated dozens of Hamas terrorists,” IDF Col. Avichay Adraee wrote on X. 

The Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital are among northern Gaza’s only surviving medical centers, according to the Associated Press. 

Palestinians line up to get donated food at a community kitchen in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Monday, May 19.  (AP/Jehad Alshrafi)

At least one staff member was killed, according to WHO, which said those who remained in the hospital were in urgent need of water and food. The U.N. said it was working to transfer remaining patients to other facilities. 

Nearly a half a mile away, Israeli drones fired Monday into the al-Awda hospital courtyard, preventing movement, Rami Shurafi, a board member of that hospital, told the AP. 

On Tuesday, Israeli drones fired at two ambulances that transferred three patients to Gaza City as the crews tried to return to the hospital, spokesperson Khaled Alhelo reportedly added. 

“Anyone moving in the hospital is fired at. They are all keeping low inside the hospital,” he said. 

About 47 patients, including nearly 20 children and several pregnant women, and some 140 doctors and medical staff members are still at the hospital, according to Shurafi. 

Israel has also begun allowing a trickle of food and medicine into the Gaza Strip after sealing the territory’s 2 million Palestinians off from all imports for more than 2 1/2 months. 

A truck loaded with humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip makes its way to the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Israel on Tuesday, May 20. (AP/Maya Alleruzzo)

A few dozen trucks have entered since Monday, but none of the aid has been distributed because of delays caused by Israeli military procedures, the U.N. said. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.