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Israeli Airstrike on School Compound in Northern Gaza Results in Casualties
A recent Israeli airstrike on a school compound in Northern Gaza has led to significant casualties, escalating tensions in the region. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict and its devastating impact on civilians.
Israeli Airstrike Hits School Compound in Northern Gaza
In the early hours of Saturday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school compound in northern Gaza that was sheltering displaced Palestinians, resulting in the deaths of dozens, according to officials in Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike but claimed that Hamas and another militant group were utilizing the facility for military operations and launching attacks against Israel.
This latest strike on a school repurposed as a shelter has drawn vehement condemnation from both the European Union and the United Nations. Josep Borrell Fontelles, the EU’s top diplomat, expressed outrage, stating, “There’s no justification for these massacres.”
The airstrikes occur amidst increasing international pressure on Israel to negotiate a cease-fire and arrange for the exchange of hostages held in Gaza along with Palestinian detainees. This week, President Biden, along with the leaders of Egypt and Qatar, emphasized that “the time has come” for such negotiations to take place.
The Gaza Civil Defense emergency service reported that the airstrike claimed the lives of over 90 individuals. However, this figure has not been independently verified, and two doctors from a local hospital provided slightly lower estimates. It is also notable that Gaza health officials typically do not differentiate between civilians and combatants in their casualty reports.
While the Israeli military refrained from providing a specific death toll, they expressed skepticism regarding the figures released by Gaza authorities, stating that their own assessment of the incident contradicted the reported numbers.