Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip (28) — An Israeli airstrike targeted a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people, including several children. The school, located in Deir al-Balah, was being used as a refuge and also contained a medical site.
The victims, including seven children and seven women, were taken to Al Aqsa Hospital. Israel’s military claimed the strike was aimed at a Hamas command center and weapons storage facility, but Hamas denied these claims. Civil defense workers reported that thousands of people had been sheltering in the school, which was left in ruins with shattered walls and debris scattered across classrooms.
In addition to the school strike, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported at least 12 more casualties from other airstrikes on Saturday.
The incident comes as international mediators prepare to meet in Italy to discuss a potential cease-fire. U.S. CIA Director Bill Burns, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, Mossad Director David Barnea, and Egyptian spy chief Abbas Kamel are expected to participate in the talks. Despite the basic framework of a three-phase deal being agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the conflict until a “total victory” is achieved.
The recent escalation has drawn criticism from Palestinian officials. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, suggested that Netanyahu’s warm reception in the U.S. indicated a “green light” for further military action.
Concerns about a wider regional conflict have been heightened by new exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
New Evacuation Orders
On Saturday, Israel issued new evacuation orders for a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza, affecting part of the area around Khan Younis in the south. The evacuation is in response to rocket fire that Israel attributes to Hamas militants in the area. This zone, which now shelters approximately 1.8 million Palestinians, has been expanded to accommodate those fleeing conflict zones, but lacks adequate sanitation and medical facilities.
Residents, including Mohammad Jaber, who has been displaced multiple times, expressed frustration and uncertainty about where to go. Gaza Health Ministry officials reported that the evacuation orders have led to the closure of at least three health centers.
Casualties in Other Areas
In northern Gaza, seven people were killed overnight in Zawaida by Israeli airstrikes, including a family of four. In the West Bank, a drone strike in Balata camp, Nablus, resulted in the deaths of a 17-year-old and a 24-year-old, with 22 others wounded. The Israeli military claimed the strike was in response to an attack on a military position.
The ongoing conflict has claimed over 39,200 Palestinian lives, with a significant number of children among the casualties. The war, which began with a Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and about 250 hostages taken, with approximately 115 still in Gaza.
In Tel Aviv, protests continued with demonstrators calling for a cease-fire and the return of remaining hostages. “There’s a deal on the table and we need to make it happen, and we need to make it happen now,” said protester Tamir Guytsabary.
