Gaza’s Government Media Office has condemned Israel’s plans to expel medical workers from Gaza City and destroy the healthcare system in the area, Al Jazeera reports.

The office stressed that the European Hospital in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis “is not a substitute for the northern hospitals” as it has sustained major damage by previous Israeli attacks and would require rebuilding.

It said in a statement that Gaza City is home to 1.3 million people, including 500,000 children, and therefore any plans to expel healthcare workers from the area would be “a war crime targeting the remaining elements of life”.

“The [Israeli] occupation has destroyed the health system in Gaza and the north, leading to hospitals being unable to operate at full capacity.”