Dozens killed in Israeli attack on UN school in Gaza, claim local authorities.
The school was operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and was accommodating displaced individuals in Nuseirat refugee camp when a strike occurred, as per Gaza's government media office. Authorities at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital stated that more victims were expected to be admitted since injured people were still arriving that morning. The Israeli military admitted to executing the airstrike, stating it targeted a Hamas base within the school.
As part of their statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared that they had executed "several precautions" before the strike, including using aerial monitoring and more refined intelligence. This attack transpired shortly after the IDF increased its ground and aerial assaults in the central Gaza region due to the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
According to a CNN stringer, a minimum of three missiles collided with the school. This three-story building was reportedly housing around 20,000 displaced individuals who had sought refuge in the school, its yard, and the vicinity.
The Gaza authorities mentioned that those killed and injured were transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, which was functioning at three times its usual clinical capacity. This, in their view, illustrated a significant catastrophe that would result in a greater number of fatalities, as per the Gaza media office.
CNN tried to contact UNRWA for a statement.
In addition, this assault happened during discussions between American, Egyptian, and Qatari officials in Doha intended to restart truce talks and negotiate the release of hostages.
After presenting a three-part plan aimed at Israeli proposals centered on a hostage release and a "full and complete ceasefire" in Gaza, US President Joe Biden’s administration prompted truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
However, on Wednesday, Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, announced their military operation in Gaza would persist regardless of any ceasefire and hostage release dialogue with Hamas.
“We're in the midst of a continuous effort to tire out the enemy. Any discussions with the terrorist organization Hamas will only occur while engaged in battle,” Gallant said in a recorded statement.
Mohammad Sawalhi, a journalist, contributed reporting from Gaza.
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The Israeli military's actions in the Middle East have once again sparked global concern, with the world watching closely as the situation in Gaza unfolds. The UN school attack, which claimed numerous lives and injured many more, has further heightened international tensions.
