ISTANBUL 

Only one hospital remains operational in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, while all other hospitals have ceased operations amid an Israeli offensive in the city, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ministry said that Israeli attacks had forced four hospitals in Rafah -- Abu Yusef Al-Najjar Hospital, Abu Al-Walid Central Clinic, Rafah Field Hospital 2, and Kuwait Specialist Hospital – out of service.

“The Tel al-Sultan Maternity Hospital is still struggling to provide services to patients,” it added.

The ministry appealed to the UN and international institutions to urgently intervene to provide protection for hospitals, medics and ambulances “from the oppression and arrogance of the Israeli occupation."

Israeli tanks reached the center of Rafah on Tuesday amid its ground offensive on the city, where more than 1.5 million displaced people have sheltered.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) estimates that nearly one million people have fled the city since the start of the Israeli offensive three weeks ago.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Palestinian enclave since Oct. 7, 2023 following a Hamas attack despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the enclave.

Nearly 36,100 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children, and over 81,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Nearly eight months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel stands accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling has ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in Rafah.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala in Istanbul