Gaza School Attack Kills 16, Israeli Military Claims Targeted Hamas Gunmen

A devastating Israeli strike on a school in Al-Nuseirat, central Gaza, has claimed the lives of at least 16 people, with over 50 others wounded, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, targeted a group of militants who were allegedly using the school as a hideout to plan and carry out attacks against Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli military claimed that it took precautions to minimize the risk to civilians before targeting the gunmen, who were hiding in the school. However, Hamas denied that its fighters were present at the location.

Eyewitness Ayman al-Atouneh described the scene as “horrific,” saying that he saw children among the dead. “We came here running to see the targeted area, and we saw bodies of children, in pieces. This is a playground, with a trampoline and swing-sets, and vendors,” he said.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Gaza Civil Emergency Service, warned that the death toll could rise as many of the wounded are in critical condition. The attack has left families with nowhere to turn, as even shelters are no longer safe.

Al-Nuseirat, one of Gaza Strip’s eight historic refugee camps, was the site of intense Israeli bombardment on Saturday, with an earlier air strike killing at least 10 people and wounding many others. The Gaza health ministry reported that Israeli military strikes across the enclave killed at least 29 Palestinians in the past 24 hours and wounded 100 others.

The conflict has also claimed the lives of five local journalists, bringing the total number of journalists killed since October 7 to 158, according to the Hamas-led Gaza government media office. Gaza health authorities have reported that over 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, with most of the dead being civilians.

Israel has lost 323 soldiers in Gaza and claims that at least a third of the Palestinian dead are fighters. The country launched its offensive in response to a Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and left over 250 taken hostage.

In other developments, Israeli forces have deepened their incursions into Rafah, in the south of the enclave near the border with Egypt, killing four Palestinian policemen and wounding eight others in an air strike on their vehicle. The Israeli military said it eliminated a Hamas rocket cell in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza that operated from inside a humanitarian-designated area.

The armed wings of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad responded to the Israeli operations by attacking Israeli forces in several areas of Gaza with anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs. Israel has said its operations in Rafah aim to eradicate the last Hamas armed wing battalions.

The Israeli military has continued to carry out “intelligence-base operations” in Rafah, destroying several underground structures, seizing weapons and equipment, and killing several Palestinian gunmen. The conflict has shown no signs of abating, with both sides continuing to exchange blows.

Historical Context:

The current conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has its roots in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been ongoing for decades. The conflict has seen several outbreaks of violence, including the Gaza War in 2008-2009, the 2012 Gaza War, and the 2014 Gaza War. The current conflict began on October 7, 2022, when Hamas launched a rocket attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and left over 250 taken hostage. Israel responded with a military operation, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 38,000 Palestinians, including civilians and fighters.

The Israeli military has claimed that it is targeting Hamas fighters and infrastructure, but human rights groups have accused Israel of using excessive force and targeting civilian areas. The conflict has also seen the deaths of five local journalists, bringing the total number of journalists killed since October 7 to 158.

The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade since 2007, and the humanitarian situation has been deteriorating. The United Nations has warned of a humanitarian crisis, with over 1.8 million people in need of assistance. The conflict has also seen the destruction of infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and homes.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• A devastating Israeli strike on a school in Al-Nuseirat, central Gaza, has killed at least 16 people and wounded over 50 others.
• The Israeli military claimed that it targeted Hamas gunmen who were hiding in the school, but Hamas denied the presence of its fighters.
• The attack has left families with nowhere to turn, as even shelters are no longer safe.
• The Gaza health ministry reported that Israeli military strikes across the enclave killed at least 29 Palestinians in the past 24 hours and wounded 100 others.
• The conflict has claimed the lives of five local journalists, bringing the total number of journalists killed since October 7 to 158.
• Gaza health authorities have reported that over 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, with most of the dead being civilians.
• Israel has lost 323 soldiers in Gaza and claims that at least a third of the Palestinian dead are fighters.
• The Israeli military has continued to carry out “intelligence-base operations” in Rafah, destroying several underground structures, seizing weapons and equipment, and killing several Palestinian gunmen.
• The conflict has shown no signs of abating, with both sides continuing to exchange blows.