The Israeli military says it arrested around 100 suspected Hamas militants during a raid on a hospital in northern Gaza last week.

The Israel Defence Forces stormed the Kamal Adwan hospital and detained dozens of its staff.

“The soldiers apprehended approximately 100 terrorists from the compound, including terrorists who attempted to escape during the evacuation of civilians,” the military said.

“Inside the hospital, they found weapons, terror funds and intelligence documents and in the surrounding area.”

Gaza health officials have denied any militant presence at the hospital, which is one of the last functioning medical facilities in the north of the enclave.

The head of the World Health Organisation said reports of the hospital’s facilities and medical supplied being damaged or destroyed during the siege were “deplorable”.

Tedros Ghebreyesus said on social media: “The whole health system in Gaza has been under attack for over a year. I cannot stress loudly enough that hospitals must be shielded from conflict at all times.”

The IDF launched a renewed offensive in northern Gaza in the past month in which its airstrikes have caused widespread destruction.

Israel’s military says it is trying to prevent Iran-backed Hamas fighters from regrouping after more than a year of fighting.