Israeli Attack on School Compound Claims At Least 22 Lives, Officials Say

An Israeli military strike on a school sheltering displaced persons in southern Gaza City on Saturday resulted in at least 22 fatalities, according to the Health Ministry operated by Hamas. Meanwhile, the Israeli government asserted that the attack targeted a command center for Hamas militants.

The strike on the school located in the Zeitoun area injured around 30 individuals, as reported by the Gaza health authorities. Most of the deceased were identified as women and children.

The Israeli army contended that they attacked what they described as a Hamas “command and control center,” which they claimed was situated within a compound that previously served as a school. This aligns with their ongoing assertion that Hamas utilizes civilian infrastructure for military operations, an allegation that Hamas firmly denies.

The Israel Defense Forces emphasized that they had taken extensive precautions before the attack to minimize civilian casualties. They stated that Hamas routinely breaches international law by operating within civilian settings.

Video evidence from the aftermath of the attack depicted heavily damaged interiors, with shattered walls, burnt furniture, and significant structural destruction. Eyewitness accounts highlighted the horror of the situation, with one survivor, Said Al-Malahi, describing how women and children were calmly playing in the schoolyard when rockets suddenly struck.

This ongoing conflict initially erupted nearly a year ago when Hamas militants launched a deadly assault on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly among civilians, on October 7. They also took around 250 hostages, with about 100 still in their custody.

The military actions in Gaza have led to an estimated 41,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry. This number does not differentiate between fighters or civilians, highlighting the extent of the devastation experienced in the region.

In a related development, heightened tensions have resulted in exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. These clashes have compelled large numbers of residents to evacuate their homes in both southern Lebanon and northern Israel, marking a troubling escalation of hostilities in the area.