At least 100 Palestinians have been killed and dozens injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Al-Taba'een school in the Al-Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City early Saturday. The school was housing displaced residents who were taking part in the fajr (dawn) prayer.
The Israeli military claimed that the school was being used as an "operating military headquarters" for the Palestinian group Hamas, but the Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza condemned the attack as a "massacre" and accused Israel of perpetuating a "broader campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people."
The attack has brought the total number of schools targeted by Israel in Gaza City over the past week to six, according to reports.
The Israeli army claimed that "several steps were taken to minimize the risk of civilian harm," but eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and devastating.
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly 10 months, with Israel's military operation killing nearly 39,700 people since last October. The situation has been exacerbated by a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine, which has left vast tracts of Gaza in ruins.
The international community has been urging Israel to halt its military operation and reach a ceasefire agreement, but so far, talks have been unsuccessful. The situation remains volatile, with threats of retaliation from Lebanon's Hezbollah group and Iran's government following recent attacks on their leaders.
The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.
News ID : 3600