CAIRO (Reuters) – Israel launched an airstrike on a college compound housing displaced households in Gaza, killing about 100 folks, the Hamas-controlled Gaza authorities stated on Saturday, in an assault the Israeli army stated focused Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants working there.
Video from the scene confirmed our bodies scattered on the bottom and extra our bodies being eliminated and lined with blankets on the ground. Empty meals cans lay in swimming pools of blood, charred mattresses and a baby’s doll among the many rubble.
The Hamas-run media workplace stated in an announcement that the assault occurred as folks in a college shelter had been performing daybreak prayers and resulted in lots of casualties.
“Thus far, there have been greater than 93 martyrs, together with 11 youngsters and 6 ladies. There are additionally unidentified stays,” Palestinian Civil Protection spokesman Mahmoud Bashar informed a televised information convention.
He stated about 6,000 folks had taken shelter within the compound. Gaza’s well being ministry has to date not offered particulars of casualties.
The Israeli army stated in a Hebrew assertion that the loss of life toll was exaggerated. About 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants are stated to be working on the web site.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani informed Channel
“Primarily based on a preliminary overview, the figures launched by the press workplace of the Hamas-controlled Gaza authorities are inconsistent with the knowledge accessible to the Israel Protection Forces, the precision munitions used and the accuracy of the assaults,” Shoshani stated.
Israel says Palestinian armed teams have blended in with civilians in Gaza and function in faculties, hospitals and designated humanitarian zones, however Hamas and its allies deny this.
Hamas stated the assault was a horrific crime and a critical escalation. Izzat Resik, a member of Hamas’s political workplace, stated in an announcement that “a combatant” was not among the many useless.
Tens of 1000’s of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in Gaza’s faculties, most of which have ceased functioning for the reason that struggle broke out ten months in the past.
Nabi Abu Rudeneh, spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urged Israel’s ally Washington to cease “blind assist that has led to the killing of 1000’s of harmless civilians, together with youngsters, ladies and the aged.”
Egypt’s overseas ministry additionally condemned the assault, which got here as mediators had been pushing to renew cease-fire talks, and stated the killings of civilians in Gaza confirmed Israel had no intention of ending the struggle.
Egypt, the USA and Qatar are as a result of maintain a brand new spherical of ceasefire talks on Thursday as issues develop over a wider battle between Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he wouldn’t finish the struggle till Hamas not poses a risk to Israelis and stated he would ship a delegation to the talks on August 15.
A Hamas official informed Reuters the group was engaged on new negotiating proposals, with out elaborating.
Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 folks, principally civilians, and taking 250 hostages, in line with Israeli statistics.
Practically 40,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Israel’s offensive on Gaza, in line with the Palestinian Well being Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Well being officers stated many of the deaths had been amongst civilians. Israel misplaced 329 troopers in Gaza and stated not less than a 3rd of the Palestinian deaths had been militants. Iran-backed Hamas didn’t announce casualties.
