Israeli forces approach key Gaza hospital; what will they do?

GAZA/GENEVA, Nov 9 (Reuters) – Israel’s military is closing in on central Gaza City and its main Al Shifa Hospital, where Israel claims Hamas fighters have a command centre, raising questions about how Israel will interpret international laws on protection of medical facilities and the thousands of displaced people sheltering there.

Israel has not outlined its possible plans for the hospital but has said its top priority is dismantling Hamas’ command infrastructure. Combat engineers are using explosives to destroy tunnels in the Islamist group’s vast underground network, Israel says.

Any Israeli attempt to seize Al Shifa, where video Reuters obtained this week showed medics scrambling to treat an influx of injured people, would risk heavy civilian losses and could trigger an…