More than 100 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza that was sheltering displaced people, according to a statement from the Hamas-run Gaza government on Saturday. The airstrike reportedly occurred during dawn prayers, resulting in a significant number of casualties, with medics still unable to reach all the bodies.
Israel targets Hamas command centre
The Israeli military stated that the airstrike was aimed at a Hamas command and control centre where commanders and operatives were hiding. The military claimed measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.
Ongoing conflict and rising casualties
Israel’s offensive in Gaza was launched in response to Hamas's deadly October 7 attack on southern Israel, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and over 250 hostages captured. According to the Palestinian health ministry, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the Israeli assault, though Israel asserts that a third of the fatalities were Hamas fighters. Israel has lost 329 lives in the conflict.
International efforts for ceasefire
As fears of a broader conflict involving Iran and Hezbollah grow, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar are working to revive ceasefire talks, with a new round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday.
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