Call to protect civilians in Gaza

Israel faced growing calls Saturday to protect civilians in Gaza as its battle with Hamas encircled the territory's main hospital, where an aid agency described the situation as "catastrophic". Thunder-like sound of explosions rang through the night in heavy fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces near Gaza's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, AFP correspondents at the scene said. The Hamas government and the hospital's director said a strike on the key health facility on Friday killed 13 people. They accused Israel of being responsible -- a claim that was impossible to verify.