Heavy fighting has been reported around the hospital, the largest in Gaza, in recent weeks.

In a statement following Monday’s withdrawal, the IDF said troops had “completed precise operational activity in the area of the Shifa Hospital and exited the area”.

“The troops killed terrorists in close-quarter encounters, located numerous weapons and intelligence documents throughout the hospital, while preventing harm to civilians, patients and medical teams.”

Earlier, Palestinian media reports said dozens of bodies were found in the vicinity of the complex, citing witnesses and the Hamas-run health ministry.

The BBC has not verified those reports. But the World Health Organization (WHO) has said 21 patients have died in al-Shifa in the past two weeks, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said more than 200 “terrorists” were killed.