A deadly Israeli airstrike targeted two schools in Gaza City on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency. The attack, which struck the Hassan Salameh and Al-Nasr schools, also left dozens wounded, with most casualties reported to be women and children.
The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating that the schools were being used by Hamas’ Al-Furqan Battalion as command centers and hideouts for operatives. This incident marks the latest in a series of attacks on educational facilities in Gaza since July 6, bringing the total number of schools hit to 11. These strikes have resulted in approximately 150 fatalities, based on previous tolls reported by officials in the Hamas-run territory.
The civil defense spokesman, Mahmud Bassal, described the attack as a “massacre,” highlighting that the schools were serving as shelters for Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In a similar incident on Saturday, another school compound in Gaza City was struck, killing at least 17 people. The Israeli military has frequently accused Hamas of using civilian structures for military purposes, a claim that the Palestinian group denies.
The conflict, which began on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, over 1,197 people have been killed in Israel, with 251 individuals, including 39 confirmed dead, taken hostage by Hamas operatives. In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has led to at least 39,583 deaths in Gaza, as reported by the territory’s health ministry. The situation remains dire, with ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges.
Sources By Agencies
