US president says hospitals in Gaza 'must be protected'

Hamas has said that more than 11,500 people have been killed in Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict on October 7

US President Joe Biden said hospitals in the Gaza Strip "must be protected" and he hoped for "less intrusive" action by Israel as Israeli tanks advanced to the gates of the besieged enclave's main hospital.

Israeli tanks have taken up positions outside Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City's main medical centre, which Israel says sits atop tunnels housing a headquarters for Hamas fighters who are using patients as shields. Hamas denies the Israeli claim.

Al-Shifa Hospital has been forced to bury scores of dead patients in a mass grave, its director said on Tuesday.

"There are bodies littered in the hospital complex and there is no longer electricity at the morgues," said Al-Shifa hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiyah, adding that 179 bodies had been interred so far. "We were forced to bury them in a mass grave," he said, adding that seven babies and 29 intensive care patients were among those who had died after fuel for the hospital's generator ran out.