Israel Accused of Airstrike on Gaza School, Resulting in Over 100 Fatalities
Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency has accused Israel of conducting an airstrike on a school in Gaza City, which reportedly killed around 100 people. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv has stated that the target was a Hamas command center.
“Three Israeli rockets struck the Al-Taba’een School in the Al-Sahaba district, which was being used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians,” said Mahmud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency, today. “Between 90 and 100 people have died, and dozens more were injured.”
Bassal described the incident as a “horrific massacre,” noting that some bodies were set ablaze. “Rescue teams are working tirelessly to control the fire, recover the victims’ bodies, and assist the injured,” he added. Gaza’s governmental media office also estimated that more than 100 people were killed in the airstrike. “The Israeli airstrikes targeted evacuees during their prayers, leading to a high casualty count,” the office reported.
On the other hand, the Israeli military stated that its air force “attacked a command center that was being used as a hideout for Hamas members” at the Al-Taba’een School. According to them, the facility was disguised as a civilian evacuation site in Gaza.
“Prior to the airstrike, several measures were taken to minimize the risk of civilian harm, including the use of precision-guided munitions and aerial surveillance combined with intelligence gathering,” the Israeli military added.
A day earlier, Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency had accused Israel of bombing two schools in Gaza City, resulting in at least 18 deaths. The Israeli military claimed that its forces had targeted Hamas command centers.
According to Gaza’s health authorities, 39,699 people have died since Israel launched its campaign in response to Hamas in the region. Israel has stated that at least one-third of those killed were combatants.
Israel has lost 329 soldiers in Gaza and has repeatedly declared that the conflict will only end when all hostages are released and Hamas is completely eradicated.
