By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
A devastating Israeli airstrike targeted a school in Gaza City early Saturday, resulting in the deaths of over 80 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a Hamas command center within the Tabeen school, but Hamas denied any militant presence.
The airstrike occurred while around 6,000 displaced people were sheltering in the school, leading to a high number of casualties, including women and children. Eyewitnesses described the tragic scene where many victims were unrecognizable due to the severity of the attack.
Medical personnel from al-Ahli hospital reported receiving the bodies of 80 victims, with 70 identified and body parts of at least 10 others recovered. The strike has been condemned by neighboring countries, including Jordan, as a violation of international law. The incident has intensified calls for a cease-fire amid ongoing efforts by American, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators to de-escalate tensions following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
The United Nations noted that 477 out of 564 schools in Gaza have been damaged or directly hit since the war began. The attack underscores the severe human toll of the conflict, with more than 39,600 Palestinians killed and over 91,700 wounded, as reported by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Source:
AP
