Health authorities in the Gaza Strip say Israeli forces stormed a hospital in northern Gaza on Friday, forcing medical workers and patients to evacuate and leaving the hospital on fire.

The World Health Organization strongly condemned the attack, saying, "The systematic dismantling of the health system in Gaza is a death sentence for tens of thousands of Palestinians in need of health care."

Gaza health authorities say the assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital caused a fire that burned the surgery department and ambulance units.

The WHO strongly condemned the attack on one of the few operational hospitals left in northern Gaza. But Israel claims the facility served as "a Hamas terrorist stronghold".

Israel has admitted to conducting the attack, but a military spokesperson said a preliminary investigation found "no connection" between it and the fire.

More than 45,000 people have been killed while Israel's aggression continues in the Gaza Strip.

Medical services have been suspended one after another, deepening the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.