The conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated once again, with a devastating strike on a school near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The attack, carried out by Israel’s military, resulted in the deaths of at least 30 Palestinians and left over 100 injured, according to the Hamas-run ministry of health.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the Khadija School was being used by Hamas as a command and control center, as well as a storage facility for weapons. However, Gaza’s health ministry stated that the victims were civilians, with many of them being children.
Footage from the scene shows a chaotic and heartbreaking situation, with injured people being carried away and a scene of destruction at the school. The strike has sparked outrage, with Hamas condemning the attack and highlighting that displaced, sick, and wounded people, mostly women and children, were among the casualties.
The IDF defended its actions, stating that it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians before carrying out the strike. However, the ongoing military campaign in Gaza has already claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
As tensions continue to rise, the IDF has issued evacuation orders for civilians in southern parts of Khan Younis, warning of imminent military operations in the area. The conflict has also spilled over into the West Bank, where a 17-year-old boy was killed and several others injured in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus.
The situation remains volatile, with no end in sight to the violence and bloodshed. The BBC has reached out to the IDF for further comments on the reports.
