The ongoing conflict in Gaza has escalated with an Israeli airstrike hitting a school sheltering displaced families, resulting in significant casualties, including children. The Israeli military has justified the strike as targeting Hamas operatives, while the health ministry reports soaring deaths in the region, indicating a sharp increase in violence.
Israeli Airstrike Claims 27 Lives at Gaza School Serving as Shelter
Israeli Airstrike Claims 27 Lives at Gaza School Serving as Shelter
An Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City, designated as a refuge for displaced families, has left at least 27 dead, according to local health officials.
At least 27 Palestinians have been reported killed following an Israeli airstrike on Dar al-Arqam school in Gaza City, which was functioning as a shelter for families displaced by ongoing conflict, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Many other individuals suffered injuries during the attack in the Tuffah district of northeastern Gaza City.
The Israeli military confirmed an airstrike occurred, alleging it targeted "prominent terrorists" within a Hamas command center but did not directly address the school incident. Additionally, the health ministry indicated that a recent wave of Israeli attacks resulted in 97 deaths within 24 hours, as military operations widened across the territory.
Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for Gaza's Civil Defence, reported that among the deceased were women and children, including a pregnant woman and her family who were missing after the strike. Emergency responders were seen rushing injured victims, primarily children, to al-Ahli hospital for treatment.
In a separate incident, at least 12 people were killed when Israeli airstrikes hit residential areas in Gaza City's Shejaiya district. A witness recounted the terrifying moments following an explosion that decimated a neighboring home, contributing to the rising death toll.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation orders for Shejaiya and surrounding regions, warning residents of impending military actions aimed at dismantling Hamas' infrastructure. Following these alerts, approximately 100,000 Palestinians have fled into western Gaza City as aerial bombardments and ground offensives ramped up in the area.
This escalation in violence follows the expiration of a ceasefire and a hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas earlier this month. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that recent military actions aim to tighten control over strategic regions, adding that conditions would be made more challenging for Hamas to avoid engaging in negotiations.
Hamas has resisted Israel's new military demands, opting instead to negotiate based on proposals from intermediaries, Qatar and Egypt, for a longer-term ceasefire that would include a swap of hostages for prisoners and increased humanitarian aid.
As the conflict worsens, the toll has been staggering, with Gaza's health ministry reporting at least 1,163 deaths and over 50,520 casualties since the beginning of hostilities in October. Amid calls for accountability, the IDF is conducting inquiries into incidents involving the deaths of Palestinian emergency responders during military operations, aiming to gather accurate accounts of these confrontations.
