An Israeli airstrike on a school in central Gaza early Thursday resulted in the deaths of 33 individuals, including 14 children and nine women, according to local health authorities. Palestinian officials reported that those displaced had sought refuge in schools, while the Israeli military asserted that Hamas militants were using schools as bases of operation.
Hospital records and a correspondent from the Associated Press confirmed that at least 33 individuals, including 14 children and nine women, lost their lives in the attack. Six people were reported to have died in a nighttime assault on a residence. Both incidents occurred in Nusrat, one of the refugee camps in Gaza. This tragic event marks the most recent instance of significant civilian casualties as Palestinians attempt to find safety amidst Israel's intensified offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The military had announced the initiation of new ground and air operations in central Gaza the day before, stating their focus on targeting Hamas combatants. Images shared on social media depict bodies laid out in hospital courtyards, wrapped in blankets or plastic coverings. The Israeli military has previously conducted operations in this region of the Gaza Strip.
Witnesses and hospital staff disclosed that the Al-Sardi school was struck during the early morning hours. This educational institution is managed by the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees. Ayman Rashid, who sought refuge at the school after being displaced from Gaza City, described how missiles hit classrooms on the upper floors where families had taken shelter.
Various videos capturing the incident are circulating on social platforms, showing injured individuals receiving medical treatment on the hospital premises. Owing to a shortage of fuel for generators, most sections of the hospital are currently without power.
The Israeli military stated that its warplanes targeted a school operated by a United Nations agency providing aid to Palestinians. Israeli authorities alleged that Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups had been using the school as a shield for their operations. However, the military did not offer immediate evidence to support these claims.
