An Israeli airstrike on a United Nations (UN) school in Gaza on Thursday killed at least 35 people, including women and children, according to Hamas officials.
Israel claimed the strike targeted up to 30 Hamas fighters inside the school.
Video footage showed Palestinians removing bodies from the site. The attack occurred amid ceasefire negotiations aiming to release hostages held by Hamas and Palestinians in Israeli jails.
Speaking to Reuters, Hamas official Ismail Al-Thawabta denied Israel’s claim that the school in Nuseirat was housing a Hamas command post.
The Israeli military stated that its jets conducted a “precise strike” and released satellite images showing two parts of the building they targeted.
Israeli military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, said they were “very confident in the intelligence.” He accused Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters of using UN facilities as bases. He also mentioned that 20-30 fighters were killed but did not confirm civilian casualties, urging that caution be taken about Hamas’s information.
The school, run by the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), sheltered 6,000 displaced people.
“At least 35 people were killed and many more injured,” noted UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini on X.
He continued, “Claims that armed groups may have been inside the shelter are shocking. We are, however, unable to verify these claims. Attacking, targeting or using UN buildings for military purposes is a blatant disregard of International Humanitarian law.”
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