DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza — A high-tension atmosphere remains near the Al-Shuhadaa Al-Aqsa Hospital after an Israeli airstrike targeted a group of Palestinian civilians in the immediate vicinity. The strike, which occurred in the central Gaza district of Deir Al-Balah, has heightened fears among displaced families seeking refuge near medical facilities.

The strike hit an area frequented by civilians just outside the hospital perimeter, a location many residents considered a relatively safe zone due to its proximity to the healthcare center.

At least six individuals sustained injuries during the blast, which occurred near the Al-Shuhadaa Al-Aqsa Hospital. In the immediate aftermath, hospital staff and bystanders rushed to the impact site to assist the wounded, who were then brought into the facility for urgent treatment.

While the hospital structure itself remained standing, the explosion caused significant panic among patients and the hundreds of displaced people living in tents nearby.

Deir Al-Balah has seen a surge in population as civilians flee conflict in other sectors of the Gaza Strip. The proximity of military strikes to hospitals continues to be a point of international concern, as these facilities are already struggling with severe shortages of medical supplies and electricity.

"The sound was deafening, and suddenly there was dust everywhere," said one witness. "We are staying near the hospital because we thought it was the last safe place left."

The Israeli military has previously stated that its operations target militant infrastructure, often alleging that such assets are embedded within civilian areas. However, the frequent strikes near designated "safe zones" and medical centers have drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations.

Local authorities in Gaza have condemned the strike, calling for immediate international intervention to protect medical infrastructure and the civilians relying on them for survival. As of now, the condition of the six injured individuals varies, with medical teams working around the clock to provide care under increasingly dire circumstances.