Civilians flee as violence and shortages put people in danger (credit Bela Szandelszky/AP)

Fierce fighting has left many injured in the city of Sirte, one of two cities still engaged in battle with the Libyan forces. And, though the National Transitional Council (NTC) has called for a two-day truce to allow for civilians to escape before a final assault, those at the scene say shooting has not stopped. 

A chaotic scene was described by a woman who was fleeing from the city. 

"Yesterday there was a lot of fighting. The problem is that it is random. Everybody is hitting us. Why? We are just innocent people," Umn-ali, a mother of three, said to Reuters after escaping thorugh the eastern border of Sirte.

As a result, humanitarian efforts from the International Committee of the Red Cross have been halted to Sirte's main hospital. 

From Reuters: 

"Doctors start operating, then the power goes. They have a few liters of fuel for the generators, then the lights go out when they operate," said a man who gave his name as Al-Sadiq, who said he ran the dialysis unit at Sirte's main hospital.

"I saw a child of 14 die on the operating table because the power went out during the operation," he told Reuters on the western outskirts of the city.

Elsewhere nearby, basic needs like water are running out. 

From the Guardian: 

Dr Siraj Assouri, who was travelling from Sirte to nearby Misrata, said: "The conditions have been getting worse and worse. There is no medicine for heart disease or blood pressure or baby milk or nappies. There is very little water that is drinkable. The water is contaminated with waste oil. Our forces are close to the centre but there are other areas still under the control of Gaddafi loyalists where they have been putting up a very strong fight. They still control 40% of the city.

The NTC forces are expected to move forward with their attack Sunday. Though Gaddafi loyalists are too few to achieve victory in the fight, they are expected to put up a continued fierce resistance.