A section within the perimeter of Gaza’s Al Aqsa Hospital came under attack in the early hours of Monday, triggering panic as civilians dashed indoors for protection. The deafening blasts were captured by an Associated Press camera positioned near the facility in Deir al-Balah. From a distance, flames and plumes of smoke were clearly visible, marking the aftermath of the strike.

The incident coincided with a series of Israeli air assaults across the Gaza Strip on Sunday that, according to local health authorities, left at least 32 people dead. Among the victims were numerous women and children, highlighting the ongoing toll on non-combatants.

Later that evening, the Israeli Defense Forces directed residents in several areas of Deir al-Balah to vacate their homes. This warning followed a sudden launch of approximately 10 rockets from Gaza — the most significant attack since the conflict reignited. The military confirmed intercepting nearly half of the incoming projectiles.

The armed wing of Hamas declared it was behind the rocket barrage. The attack was seen as a direct retaliation to escalating military operations in the region.

The renewed violence underscores the intensifying hostilities, with hospitals — once considered sanctuaries — increasingly vulnerable to the surrounding warfare. The scene at Al Aqsa Hospital reflects the growing sense of insecurity, even in zones previously deemed safe.

The situation in Deir al-Balah remains tense, with many residents displaced once again and uncertainty looming over what comes next.