An Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, including students and staff. The attack has intensified the humanitarian crisis and sparked international condemnation.
It is claimed by West Jerusalem that the facility was being utilized as a military headquarters by Hamas.
According to the Palestinian authorities, numerous casualties have been reported following an Israeli airstrike on a school that had been converted into a shelter in Gaza City.
The Tabeen school located in the central part of the city was attacked on Saturday morning, as confirmed by officials from both Gaza and Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
There are differing accounts regarding the casualties, with Al Jazeera reporting that more than 100 individuals have been killed and numerous others wounded in the attack as per Gaza’s government media office. The news agency also stated that some of the bodies remain unaccounted for at present.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry’s ambulance and emergency service, the death toll from a recent strike was reported at 60 with an additional 47 individuals wounded. This event has been described by AP as “one of the deadliest strikes” in ten months since Israel engaged in conflict with Hamas, a Palestinian armed group.
According to a statement from Gaza’s government media office, the IDF warplanes bombed displaced people while they were performing dawn prayer at the school, resulting in a high number of casualties.
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The statement claimed full responsibility for the massacre on the Israeli occupation and American administration. It was categorized as a part of genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians.
According to reports from Palestinian journalists, the facility was struck by a minimum of three bombs causing some individuals to become trapped within the building. Following this attack, the location became engulfed in flames making it impossible for emergency workers to extinguish and rescue those caught inside. Claims suggest that Israel’s decision to cut off water supply has hindered their efforts further.
On X (previously known as Twitter), the Israeli military alleged that they had aimed at the school due to its utilization as a Hamas headquarters. From this base, Hamas organized and encouraged terrorist activities against IDF forces and citizens of Israel, according to the group’s statement.
According to the IDF, Hamas violates international law in a systematic manner and carries out its operations from civilian shelters while using civilians as a human shield.
UN data reveals that as of July 6, almost all schools (564) in Gaza designated for housing refugees during the conflict have been struck or damaged. This results to a total count of 477 affected educational institutions.
Following a cross-border incursion by Hamas last October, during which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 250 taken captive, Israel initiated its military operation in Gaza. According to the Health Ministry of Gaza, over 39,600 have been killed and more than 91,700 others injured as a result of Israel’s airstrikes and ground offensive in this Palestinian territory.
