many thousands of people, perhaps tens of thousands of civilians sheltering at the al shifa hospital along with some localjournalists. the world health organization says 20 hospitals in gaza are now non operational. people around al shifa hospital report intense fighting. and in the early hours of friday, there was the sound of a large explosion. there was panic and confusion in the hospital courtyard following the explosion. israel s military says it is investigating reports that the areas around the hospitals have been struck. it s previously said its forces were operating close to shifa hospital, which it says is above hamas headquarters. this in other developments, reuters news agency is reporting agency is reporting that the palestinian authority is ready to assume responsibilities in the gaza strip once the war has ended. territory the pa president, mahmoud abbas, said it would be part of a comprehensive solution for the occupied territories and gaza. also, president