Israeli Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Gaza School Attack Ahead of Ceasefire Talks
- Israeli airstrikes on a school in Gaza have killed at least 30 individuals, including children and women.
- The strikes occurred at a site sheltering displaced Palestinians and were reportedly aimed at a Hamas command center.
- The ongoing conflict has resulted in extensive casualties and widespread condemnation from various entities.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted a school in central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people, including several children. The school was housing displaced Palestinians as the Israeli military claimed it was a Hamas command center. The attack occurred just a day before U.S., Egyptian, Qatari, and Israeli officials were set to meet in Italy to discuss ongoing hostage negotiations and a potential ceasefire. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as ambulances rushed to the site, with many injured being transported to Al Aqsa Hospital. The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed that over 100 individuals were wounded in the strikes, which also included separate attacks that killed at least 12 more people. Eyewitness accounts described the devastation, with families searching for missing loved ones amid the rubble. In a related development, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for parts of a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza, citing planned operations against Hamas militants. This has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations about the safety of civilians, as many have already been displaced multiple times during the ongoing conflict. The U.N. has criticized Israel for its military tactics, claiming they fail to protect civilians adequately. The conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. As international mediators prepare for discussions, the situation remains dire, with calls for a ceasefire growing louder amid the escalating violence.