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WARNING: This story contains graphic images
A recent airstrike by Israeli forces on a school compound in Gaza that was sheltering displaced families has reportedly resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 individuals, as stated by the Gaza government controlled by Hamas. The Israeli military, however, has contested this claim, asserting that their operation targeted Hamas militants present in the area, while expressing skepticism regarding the casualty figures.
Footage from the scene depicted body parts scattered across the ground, with the ongoing recovery efforts revealing more victims being carried away and covered in blankets. The ground was littered with empty food cans, stained by blood, and among the wreckage were burned mattresses and a child’s doll.
At another section of the Tabeen school complex in Gaza City, numerous men were observed praying over body bags that had been laid out on the ground.
The Hamas-run media reported that the attack occurred during dawn prayers, contributing to the high number of casualties. “So far, there are more than 93 martyrs, including 11 children and six women. There are unidentified remains,” reported Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense, during a televised press conference.
Approximately 350 families were taking refuge at the compound at the time of the strike. According to Bassal, two floors were affected; the upper level was home to families, while the lower level served as a mosque. The Gaza health ministry has yet to provide detailed casualty figures.
Disputed Casualty Figures
The Israeli military, in a statement issued in Hebrew, claimed that the reported death toll was exaggerated. A spokesperson indicated that around 20 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were operating at the location.
“The compound, including the mosque impacted by the strike, was an active military facility for Hamas and Islamic Jihad,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani on the social media platform X.
According to Shoshani, initial assessments indicate discrepancies between the numbers released by the Hamas government and the information available to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the precision of the military operation.
A military representative emphasized that the area of the mosque that was struck was designated for men only and did not accommodate women or children, reinforcing their assertion that there was no intent to harm civilians.
“This was confirmed through intelligence, and the attack was executed using three precise munitions that are not capable of causing the level of destruction reported by Palestinian officials,” the spokesperson stated.
Israel claims that militant groups often operate from within civilian areas, including schools and hospitals, a point disputed by Hamas and its allies.
Hamas Condemns the Strike
Hamas has decried the airstrike as a grave violation and a significant escalation in hostilities. Izzat El-Reshiq, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, asserted that none of the deceased were combatants.
An increasing number of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in various schools across Gaza, many of which have ceased regular operations since the escalation of the conflict approximately ten months ago.
Separate reports indicate that another airstrike on the same day resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians in Al-Nuseirat, located in central Gaza, while another incident in the nearby city of Deir Al-Balah claimed one life, according to medical sources.
Footage from Gaza City captures the aftermath of the Israeli airstrike, portraying the collective grief of those mourning lost loved ones.
Nabil Abu Rudeine, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, appealed to Israel’s ally, the United States, to reassess its “blind support” that has led to significant civilian casualties.
Reactions from Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia criticized the airstrike, occurring at a sensitive time when diplomatic efforts were underway to resume ceasefire discussions. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri suggested that the incident could mark a pivotal moment in their ongoing negotiation efforts.
Officials in Egypt asserted that the civilian casualties in Gaza indicated Israel’s lack of willingness to de-escalate the conflict, with Qatar’s foreign ministry labeling the strike a “horrific massacre.”
Amid escalating fears of a widespread conflict involving other regional players like Iran and Hezbollah, new ceasefire negotiations facilitated by Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar are set to take place this Thursday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, committed to continuing military actions until the threat from Hamas is neutralized, announced plans to send a delegation to the negotiations scheduled for August 15.
A Hamas representative mentioned that the group is considering the latest proposal for talks, although specifics were not discussed.
The escalation in violence can be traced back to October 7, when Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and the taking of over 250 hostages according to Israeli reports. In response, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have died due to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, as reported by local health authorities, who do not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants. Israel, for its part, claims that a substantial portion of the Palestinian casualties are fighters, while Iranian-backed Hamas does not publicly release its casualty figures.
Source
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