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At least 30 dead in Gaza school airstrike, Israel says targeted militants

Palestinians inspect a school sheltering displaced people following an Israeli strike, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, July 27, 2024. REUTERS/Ramadan Abed

Israeli Airstrike on Gaza School Kills 30 Palestinians

Incident Overview

At least 30 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza on Saturday. The school, located in the central town of Deir Al-Balah, was housing displaced people. Palestinian health officials reported the attack, while the Israeli military claimed it targeted militants using the compound.

Casualties and Damage

The Hamas-run government media office stated that among the dead were 15 children and eight women. Over 100 people were injured, according to both the media office and the Gaza health ministry. At Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, ambulances brought in the wounded, some of whom arrived on foot with blood-stained clothes. Reuters footage showed people returning to the bombing site to retrieve belongings, with visible fires, blasted walls, and scattered debris in the schoolyard.

Witness Accounts

Um Hasan Ali, a displaced woman at the school, recounted how she had recently returned to Gaza from Egypt with her daughter, who was now wounded from the strike and hospitalized. Another woman, Ibtihal Ahmed, described hearing heavy bombing while sitting in a neighbor’s tent, causing panic and resulting in injuries to many innocent people.

Israeli Military Statement

The Israeli military claimed that Hamas uses civilians as human shields by operating in densely populated areas, including schools and hospitals. The military asserted that Hamas terrorists used the school compound to plan attacks and store weapons. “Hamas terrorists used the [school] compound as a hiding place to direct and plan numerous attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel,” the military stated.

Ceasefire Talks

CIA Director William Burns was expected to meet with Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari counterparts in Rome to discuss a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages by Hamas. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Israel’s response to the latest ceasefire proposal was sent to Washington ahead of the meeting. The ongoing efforts aim to resolve the months-long stalemate, with both Israel and Hamas blaming each other for the impasse.

Broader Context and Additional Attacks

According to local health authorities, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths, without distinguishing between fighters and non-combatants. Israel estimates that about one-third of those killed were fighters. The conflict began in response to a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel in October, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken.

Khan Younis and Other Strikes

On Saturday, the Israeli military instructed Palestinians to evacuate southern neighborhoods of Khan Younis, warning of upcoming operations against militant groups. Health officials reported 14 deaths in Khan Younis from Israeli attacks. Additionally, airstrikes in central Gaza’s al-Bureij and Rafah near the Egyptian border resulted in nine more Palestinian deaths.

Reactions and Accusations

U.N. and humanitarian officials have accused Israel of using disproportionate force and failing to ensure civilian safety, which Israel denies. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, violence has escalated, with frequent Israeli raids and Palestinian street attacks. On Saturday, an Israeli drone strike in Nablus killed one person after Palestinian gunmen attacked an Israeli army post, injuring a soldier. A local militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, confirming the deceased was a member.

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