An Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced individuals in the Gaza Strip resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 27 people, as reported by Palestinian medical officials. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted militants who were allegedly hiding among civilians, although no evidence was provided to support this claim.
Despite the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon and escalating tensions with Iran, Israel has continued its military operations in the Gaza Strip. A recent large-scale air and ground operation was launched against Hamas in northern Gaza.
The strike, which took place in the central town of Deir al-Balah, led to the deaths of 27 individuals, including a child and seven women. Several others were wounded in the attack, with bodies arriving at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, some in pieces.
Witnesses reported that the strike occurred while school managers were meeting with representatives of an aid group in a room typically used by Hamas-run police for security purposes. The Hamas government's civilian police force, which numbered in the tens of thousands, had largely disappeared from the streets due to Israeli airstrikes.
Since the conflict began, Hamas has continued to launch attacks on Israeli forces and sporadically fire rockets into Israel. The war has resulted in significant casualties, with over 42,000 Palestinians reported dead by local health authorities. The destruction caused by the conflict has displaced approximately 90% of Gaza's population.
The situation further escalated when Hezbollah militants in Lebanon began firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas and the Palestinians. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes in Lebanon and initiated a ground invasion. Iran's support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other armed groups in the region has contributed to the ongoing conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed a 'lethal' and 'surprising' response to Iran's recent missile attack, following discussions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden.
For more updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, visit AP's coverage.
