Israeli strikes devastate Gaza, kill dozens in schools, hospital

The Gaza Strip witnessed a tragic escalation of violence on Sunday as Israeli airstrikes hit two schools and a hospital compound, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction.

According to the Palestinian official news agency, WAFA, at least 25 people were killed in the strikes on the schools, while the total death toll for the day reached at least 44.

The airstrikes targeted the Hassan Salama and Al-Nasser schools in Gaza City, which were housing displaced Palestinian families.

Footage circulating on Palestinian media depicted a harrowing scene of bodies scattered across the schoolyard, with residents frantically loading the injured, including children, into ambulances. The strikes reportedly destroyed several structures within the school compounds, leaving dozens wounded in addition to the fatalities.

The Israeli military justified the strikes by claiming they targeted a Hamas command center embedded within the schools. “Hamas is using civilian properties for military operations,” an Israeli military spokesperson stated. Hamas, however, denies these accusations, asserting that they do not use civilian institutions for military purposes.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp inside the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound in central Gaza, starting a fire and causing further casualties. Medical authorities reported that at least 18 people were wounded and five were killed in this strike. The Israeli military claimed the target was a militant involved in “terror activities” and noted that secondary explosions indicated the presence of weapons in the area.

The Al-Aqsa Hospital is located in Deir Al-Balah, a region overcrowded with thousands displaced by ongoing conflict. In separate incidents, Israeli strikes in Deir Al-Balah and Jabalia camp resulted in additional fatalities, bringing the day’s total death toll to a devastating number

The violence comes on the heels of unsuccessful diplomatic efforts in Cairo aimed at de-escalating the conflict. The failure of these talks has led to continued military actions, with Israel bracing for potential escalations in the north. Sirens were reported as far north as Ashdod after rockets were launched from southern Gaza, although no injuries were recorded. Hamas claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, describing it as retaliation for Israeli “massacres against civilians.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s need to maintain control over border areas and northern Gaza. He stated that Hamas has yet to agree to a proposed ceasefire and hostage release deal. “The maximum number of living hostages must be freed in the first stage of the deal, and leverage must be preserved for the release of all hostages later,” Netanyahu asserted, denying accusations that his government opposes a deal.

Hamas officials, however, have blamed Netanyahu for the lack of progress, accusing him of dragging the region into further conflict. “Netanyahu is not interested in an agreement,” said Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri.

Regional tensions have been exacerbated by the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Both Hamas and Hezbollah, backed by Iran, have vowed retaliation, further escalating the already volatile situation. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in these assassinations.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll, with Gaza health officials reporting that at least 39,550 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign.