Palestinians examine the destruction caused by an Israeli strike on a school on Saturday. Getty Images
At least 22 people, mostly women and children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school compound in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials. The strike hit the Al-Zaytoun School near Gaza City, where thousands of civilians had taken shelter. Palestinian sources reported that among the dead were 13 children, including a 3-month-old infant. Some of the children who survived the attack required amputations.
The Israeli military explained that the strike targeted a Hamas command center embedded within the school compound. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike was a precise operation aimed at Hamas operatives who were using the compound to plan attacks. The IDF also mentioned that efforts were made to avoid civilian casualties. The military said the compound, which had once served as the Al Falah School, was being used by Hamas for terrorist operations.
However, these claims have not been independently verified, and the IDF has previously accused Hamas of using civilian areas, such as schools and hospitals, for military activities. Palestinian Civil Defense workers on the scene reported at least 20 fatalities, with video footage showing rescue workers sifting through the debris, trying to save lives.
Palestinians grieve beside the bodies of their loved ones. Getty Images
A woman who had been sheltering at the school expressed her outrage, telling reporters, “There was no warning. We were sitting in the schools, and suddenly missiles started raining down on us.” She called for international action to stop the bloodshed, describing the dire conditions in Gaza where there is no access to basic necessities like schools, hospitals, food, or water.
Another survivor, a young girl named Amal, pleaded for the bombing of schools to stop. “What have we, the children, done to wake up and go to sleep in fear? We have no schools, no homes—where should we go?” Amal asked. She expressed despair at the lack of intervention from Arab countries, calling for a ceasefire and peace.
Palestinians examine the destruction left by the Israeli strike. Getty Images
The airstrike occurred amid ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza, which intensified following the October 7 attacks. Israel has been actively targeting Hamas fighters, including a recent operation that reportedly killed a high-ranking Hamas operative. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have also been escalating, adding further complexity to the conflict.
The Israeli military also reported on Saturday that its troops had identified and eliminated militants who were attempting to rob a humanitarian aid truck in the Rafah area. The IDF said drones tracked the militants, who were later neutralized by Israeli Air Force aircraft. The security of humanitarian convoys has been a recurring issue, with aid agencies frequently facing looting.
