A recent Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, has resulted in at least 30 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials.
The strike, which also injured over 100 others, targeted a school housing displaced families, amplifying the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated area. The Gaza Health Ministry and Hamas-run media reported the casualties and damage caused by the strike.
The Israeli military defended the attack, stating that the school compound was used by Hamas as a command center and a weapons cache. The military claimed it had issued warnings to evacuate before the strike, asserting that the school was being used to launch attacks against Israeli troops. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also emphasized that the strike aimed at minimizing harm to civilians by targeting what they described as a significant Hamas infrastructure.
At Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, medical personnel were overwhelmed with casualties, some arriving with severe injuries. The chaos underscored the dire situation faced by civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. In addition to the Deir al-Balah strike, other incidents reported earlier in the day included fatalities in Khan Younis, Al-Bureij refugee camp, and Rafah, raising concerns about the increasing civilian toll.
The escalation of violence follows a pattern of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas, with over 39,000 Palestinian deaths reported since the conflict's intensification.
The UN and humanitarian groups have criticized Israel for what they describe as disproportionate use of force and insufficient measures to protect civilians. Israel, however, continues to assert that its military operations are aimed at neutralizing Hamas' military capabilities while minimizing civilian casualties.
The strike, which also injured over 100 others, targeted a school housing displaced families, amplifying the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated area. The Gaza Health Ministry and Hamas-run media reported the casualties and damage caused by the strike.
The Israeli military defended the attack, stating that the school compound was used by Hamas as a command center and a weapons cache. The military claimed it had issued warnings to evacuate before the strike, asserting that the school was being used to launch attacks against Israeli troops. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also emphasized that the strike aimed at minimizing harm to civilians by targeting what they described as a significant Hamas infrastructure.
At Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, medical personnel were overwhelmed with casualties, some arriving with severe injuries. The chaos underscored the dire situation faced by civilians caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict. In addition to the Deir al-Balah strike, other incidents reported earlier in the day included fatalities in Khan Younis, Al-Bureij refugee camp, and Rafah, raising concerns about the increasing civilian toll.
The escalation of violence follows a pattern of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas, with over 39,000 Palestinian deaths reported since the conflict's intensification.
The UN and humanitarian groups have criticized Israel for what they describe as disproportionate use of force and insufficient measures to protect civilians. Israel, however, continues to assert that its military operations are aimed at neutralizing Hamas' military capabilities while minimizing civilian casualties.
