An Israeli attack on a school in Deir al-Balah, a central Gaza town, resulted in the deaths of at least 16 individuals, as reported by local medics to Reuters. Hamas-affiliated media channels claim the death toll stands at 22.
The strike targeted a facility that had been repurposed to house displaced families seeking refuge from the ongoing violence.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that their attack was a “precise strike on terrorists” operating within the school, which they claimed was being used to orchestrate attacks against Israeli forces.
The IDF stated it employed various measures to minimize civilian casualties during the operation, including aerial surveillance and targeted munitions.
Eyewitness accounts and unverified footage circulating online depict harrowing scenes of the aftermath, with victims being transported to al-Aqsa hospital amidst widespread panic.
