Israel's army detained the director of one of northern Gaza 's last functioning hospitals as overnight strikes in the territory killed nine people, including children, Palestinian medical officials said Saturday.

With the Israeli military maintaining its lethal siege on northern Gaza, concerns are increasing that Israel is systematically implementing a strategy to displace Palestinians by declaring the region a combat zone.

Daqran, spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah city in central Gaza, told Xinhua that nine people were killed, including children and women, and dozens of wounded people were sent to the hospital following the airstrike.