An Israeli airstrike on a college in Gaza Metropolis has killed a minimum of 22 Palestinians, largely girls and youngsters, in response to the Hamas Well being Ministry in Gaza.
The Israel Protection Forces (IDF) mentioned the assault focused the Hamas command heart on the Falah college, which Israel mentioned the armed group was utilizing “to plan and perform terrorist assaults in opposition to the IDF and the State of Israel.”
The well being ministry mentioned the college was closed through the conflict to accommodate displaced folks.
The IDF mentioned it had taken steps to mitigate the danger of harming civilians, together with utilizing precision munitions and aerial surveillance, and accused Hamas of exploiting civilian infrastructure.
The Israel Protection Forces mentioned Hamas “operates throughout the civilian infrastructure of the Gaza Strip and exploits Gaza civilians to hold out terrorist actions and systematically violates worldwide legislation”.
Hamas denies utilizing faculties and different civilian websites for army functions.
The Hamas-run authorities media workplace mentioned these killed in Saturday’s assault within the al-Zaytoun space included 13 kids, together with a three-month-old child, and 6 girls.
Gaza’s civil protection company reported the identical loss of life toll, including that one of many girls was pregnant.
Additionally on Saturday, the Ministry of Well being mentioned Israel “attacked” a Ministry of Well being warehouse within the Musaba district of southern Gaza, killing 4 employees and injuring six others. The ministry didn’t specify whether or not the incident was an airstrike.
The BBC has contacted the Israel Protection Forces for touch upon experiences of the killing of well being employees.
Different faculties have been hit by Israeli airstrikes on a number of events because the newest battle with Hamas started on October 7.
Earlier this month, the United Nations Company for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) Six staff mentioned Hundreds of displaced Palestinians have taken refuge within the Jauni college in Nuserat refugee camp after an Israeli airstrike.
UNRWA mentioned this was the fifth time the college had been attacked since October 7.
The Israeli army mentioned it carried out “precision strikes” in opposition to terrorists planning assaults from faculties. The army claimed that 9 of the lifeless have been members of the Hamas armed wing and three of them have been UNRWA employees.
On October 7 final 12 months, Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 folks and taking 251 folks hostage.
Israel is launching a army operation in Gaza that has killed greater than 41,000 folks, in response to the Israeli Well being Ministry.
