Gaza hospital hit as Israel tells UN aid agency ties to be cut

Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry said Monday that Israeli forces were bombarding the last partially functioning hospital in the territory's north, as Israel formally notified the U.N. it is cutting ties with the main aid agency for Palestinians.

Vowing to stop Hamas from regrouping in northern Gaza, Israel launched a major air and ground assault nearly a month ago, a year into its war against the Islamists.

Rescuers and U.N. agencies report that hundreds of people have been killed and the area has been left desperately short of essential supplies.

Gaza's health ministry said Israeli forces were "continuing to violently bombard and destroy Kamal Adwan Hospital."

Hospital director Hossam Abu Safieh described the situation as "catastrophic," with several staff injured.

"We do not understand the purpose behind this bombing that is targeting the hospital," he stated.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said six child patients were injured in the strike on the hospital, which he described as "appalling."

Israel's military said it was checking the report.

Separately, it stated that troops "are continuing to operate against terrorist infrastructure and operatives in the northern and central Gaza Strip."

'No alternative' 

Earlier on Monday, Israel issued formal notification that ties with UNRWA, the U.N. agency supporting Palestinian refugees, would be cut after lawmakers voted to ban the organization, which is vital to Palestinians in the occupied territories.

The ban sparked global condemnation and came after the United States warned Israel in mid-October that it could withhold some of its billions of dollars in military assistance unless it improves aid...