Gaza School Airstrike Kills Over 100, Israel Claims Hamas Command Center Hit

An airstrike on a school compound in central Gaza has claimed more than a 100 lives as reported by the Palestinian health officials. The Israeli strike hit the Tabeen school early Saturday morning where thousands of displaced Palestinians were taking shelter. The Hamas run Health Ministry also added that around 47 people were injured in the attack.

Israel’s military did acknowledge the attack but claims that it targeted a Hamas command center within the premises. However, it did not provide enough evidence to support its assertion. Hamas on the other hand denies using the school for any military purposes. 

Conflicting Claims and Casualty Reports

Palestinian Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal reported at least 93 deaths, including 11 children and six women. He stated that approximately 6,000 people had been sheltering at the compound and the medics were not able to reach all the bodies. The total death count needs to be ascertained and could be on the rise once the rubble is cleared.

Video footage from the scene showed body parts scattered on the ground and victims being covered with blankets. Debris, including burnt mattresses and children’s toys, littered the area.

Abu Anas, a victim who was rescued from the rubble described the scene to the press. “People were praying, and sleeping. There were children, women and old people. The missile struck without a warning,” he said.  

The Israeli military contested the reported death toll, claiming it was inflated. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani stated that around 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were operating at the site. Israel maintains that Palestinian militant groups embed among civilians, a claim Hamas denies.

Broader Context and Ongoing Conflict

The United Nations reports that 477 out of 564 schools in Gaza have been directly hit or damaged since the conflict began. This latest incident is one of the deadliest strikes in the 10-month-old conflict between Israel and Hamas.

This incident occurs amidst a 10-month-long war that began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. Since then, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel has lost 329 soldiers in the conflict.

International mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt continue to push for a ceasefire agreement. However, progress has been slow. The White House also expressed frustration with the lack of advancement in talks. In particular Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been criticized over his remarks against a ceasefire proposal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the other hand has stated he will not end the war until Hamas no longer poses a threat to Israelis. 

Escalating Regional Tensions

Recent high-profile killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in Tehran and Lebanon has escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran has been dragged into the war and is reportedly considering severe retaliation against Israel. This potential action comes at the behest of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has called for a harsh response to these assassinations. An Iranian attack which now seems imminent has further intensified the already volatile situation in the region.

As the conflict continues to escalate, the prospects for a lasting peace seem increasingly distant. The devastating toll on civilian lives and infrastructure in Gaza raises urgent questions about the region’s future.