Israel targeted a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school in Gaza on Thursday, alleging it housed a Hamas compound.
The strike, which Israel said killed fighters involved in the October 7 attack that sparked the eight-month conflict, reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people seeking shelter, according to Gaza media.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run government media office, denied Israel’s claims that the U.N. school in Nuseirat, central Gaza, concealed a Hamas command post. “The occupation uses lying to the public opinion through false fabricated stories to justify the brutal crime it conducted against dozens of displaced people,” Thawabta told Reuters.
The Israeli military stated that it took measures to minimize civilian casualties before the strike by Israeli fighter jets.
The attack came after Israel announced a new military campaign in central Gaza, targeting fighters employing hit-and-run insurgency tactics. Israel has indicated that there will be no cessation of hostilities during ongoing ceasefire talks.
