Gaza, July 27, 2024 – A devastating Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, has resulted in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians and injured over 100 others, according to the Gaza health ministry and the Hamas-run government media office. The school, located in an area densely populated with displaced families, was struck by the Israeli military, who stated that they targeted a “Hamas command and control center” within the Khadija school compound.
The Israeli military asserted that the school was being used by Hamas to launch attacks against Israeli troops and to store weapons, claiming they had warned civilians prior to the strike. Despite these warnings, the strike resulted in significant civilian casualties. Ambulances rushed the wounded to Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, with some arriving on foot, bloodied and desperate for medical attention.
The U.N. and humanitarian officials have accused Israel of using disproportionate force and failing to ensure the safety of civilians. Israel, however, has defended its actions, stating that Hamas operates within densely populated areas, using schools and hospitals as cover. Hamas denies these allegations.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 14 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks in Khan Younis, with additional casualties in Al-Bureij refugee camp and Rafah. The Israeli military has been urging civilians to evacuate areas targeted for operations, aiming to minimize civilian harm.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths since the start of the Israeli invasion of Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continue to face resistance from Palestinian fighters, underscoring the complexity of eliminating militant groups entrenched in civilian areas.
