GAZA -- Hundreds of Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, according to Palestinian medical sources.

Local eyewitnesses told Xinhua that a rocket hit the hospital, with a huge explosion ripping through its premises.

They added that they rushed to the place a few minutes later and saw hundreds of killed people on the ground.

According to the Gaza-based Health Ministry, the hospital was housing hundreds of sick and wounded and sheltering thousands of displaced civilians who were forced to flee their homes due to constant Israeli attacks.

An Israeli military spokesperson declined to confirm whether Israeli airstrikes were launched at the hospital and told Xinhua that the report of the incident "is under review."