At least 16 people have been killed and dozens more injured in an Israeli air strike targeting a school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials reported. The school was serving as a shelter for thousands of displaced individuals, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that the strike targeted “terrorists operating in structures located in the area of Al-Jaouni School.” Reports also indicate that another airstrike on a house within the camp resulted in the deaths of 10 people.
Video footage from the scene shows chaotic scenes of adults and children amidst smoke and debris-covered streets, with witnesses describing the upper floors of the school being targeted. The building was reportedly near a busy market, and up to 7,000 people were using it as shelter.
One witness recounted how children were killed while reading the Koran when the strike hit, criticizing the repeated attacks on the school without warning.
Hamas officials claimed that among those killed were five local journalists and members of their families, alleging that the strikes were part of a broader attack on civilians. The IDF, however, defended its actions, stating it had taken measures to minimize civilian casualties, including precise aerial surveillance.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians since October, continues to draw international condemnation and efforts to broker a ceasefire.
