DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (August 10, 2024) — An Israeli airstrike targeted a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City early Saturday, resulting in at least 80 fatalities and injuring nearly 50 others, according to Palestinian health authorities. The strike, one of the deadliest in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, occurred as people prayed in a mosque within the building.
The Israeli military confirmed the attack, alleging that the Tabeen school was a Hamas command center. It claimed that 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters were killed in the strike. However, Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, denied any militant presence at the site.
Israel disputed the reported casualties, asserting that its “precise munitions” and “small warhead” were intended to minimize civilian harm. The attack resulted in severe damage, with walls blown out and numerous bodies found on the premises.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with three missiles hitting the building during prayers. The first missile struck the mosque, followed by two more. Many victims, including women and children, were reported to be unrecognizable.
The U.N. has condemned what it calls “systematic attacks on schools,” noting that at least 21 schools have been hit since July 4. European and U.S. officials have expressed deep concern, with calls for accountability and a cease-fire intensifying.
The strike underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 1.9 million of the pre-war population of 2.3 million have been displaced. The war, which began with Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in over 39,790 Palestinian deaths and more than 92,000 injuries.
As international mediators push for a cease-fire, protests and demonstrations continue, reflecting the escalating desperation and call for an end to the violence.
