Israeli Airstrike Kills 30 and Injures 100 in Deir al-Balah School Attack
At least 30 people have been killed and over 100 injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a school in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, where thousands had sought refuge, according to Palestinian officials.
Israeli Military Targets Hamas Command Center
The Israeli military claimed the airstrike aimed at a Hamas command and control center located within the school compound. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation due to its devastating impact on civilians.
Casualties Overwhelming Gaza Hospitals
Dr. Khalil Al-Daqran, spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, reported that most of the victims brought to the hospital were women and children. Footage from CNN inside the hospital morgue showed bodies on the floor and distraught families identifying their deceased loved ones. The emergency room was overwhelmed with casualties, lacking sufficient space for additional patients. Among the injured was a young boy who died shortly after arrival, marked as “unidentified.”
Khan Younis Evacuation Orders and Israeli Military Actions
The Israeli military’s airstrike followed new evacuation orders for Khan Younis, where a recent offensive had already resulted in significant Palestinian casualties. Residents in southern neighborhoods were instructed to evacuate as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) prepared for further operations in the area.
Ongoing Gaza Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for months, with Israel struggling to meet its objective of dismantling Hamas. Recent reports indicate that approximately 100 militants were killed in recent clashes. The United Nations estimates that around 150,000 people fled Khan Younis on Monday, intensifying the pressure on already scarce resources like food, water, and shelter.
Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza
The IDF announced on Telegram that it would conduct operations against terrorist organizations in Khan Younis and urged remaining residents to relocate to Al-Mawasi, a designated humanitarian area. However, Al-Mawasi has been repeatedly attacked, including a strike on July 14 that killed 90 people and injured 300.
Eyewitnesses described being awakened by screams and explosions as people fled following the evacuation orders. CNN footage captured residents escaping in various ways, including cars, motorbikes, and donkey carts.
Impact of Israeli Military Offensive on Gaza
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza began on October 7 following a Hamas attack in southern Israel, which resulted in at least 1,200 deaths and over 250 abductions, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, Israeli operations in Gaza have led to the deaths of 39,258 Palestinians and injuries to 90,589, as reported by Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Nearly 2 million people have been displaced in Gaza, nearly the entire population, according to the UN.
Aid Agencies and Humanitarian Response
Aid agencies have warned that new evacuation orders further complicate the delivery of emergency supplies. The UN Relief and Works Agency highlighted the severe exhaustion and dire conditions faced by Gaza’s residents.
US and Israeli Officials Discuss Ceasefire
On Thursday, the IDF announced the recovery of five Israeli hostages’ bodies from a tunnel in Khan Younis, previously marked as a “humanitarian area.” Despite ongoing violence, US and Israeli officials are cautiously optimistic about the potential for a ceasefire and a hostage deal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that negotiations are progressing, with talks set to resume in Rome on Sunday, led by CIA Director Bill Burns and representatives from Qatar, Egypt, and Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently met with US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, was urged to finalize an agreement. Harris emphasized the urgency of concluding a deal, addressing calls for a ceasefire and the broader desire for peace.