CAIRO (Reuters) – An Israeli airstrike on a college housing displaced individuals in Gaza killed greater than 100 Palestinians and wounded dozens extra, the Hamas-controlled Gaza authorities stated on Saturday. The goal was the Hamas command heart.
The Hamas media workplace stated in an announcement that folks taking refuge within the college had been performing daybreak prayers when the assault occurred, inflicting many casualties. Medics haven’t but reached all of the our bodies, the assertion stated.
Well being authorities in Gaza didn’t instantly present info.
The Israeli navy stated in an announcement that its air power struck a command and management heart the place Hamas militants had been hiding.
The navy stated it had taken steps to cut back the danger of hurt to civilians “together with the usage of precision munitions, aerial surveillance and intelligence info”. It had no speedy touch upon experiences of casualties in Gaza.
Hamas stated the assault was a horrific crime and a critical escalation. Israel says the armed group lurks amongst Gaza civilians and operates in colleges, hospitals and designated humanitarian zones, however Hamas denies this.
Egypt’s international ministry condemned the assault, which got here as mediators had been pushing to renew ceasefire talks, and stated the killings of civilians in Gaza confirmed Israel had no intention of ending the battle.
Egypt, the US and Qatar are because of maintain a brand new spherical of ceasefire talks on Thursday as issues develop over a wider battle between Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu stated he wouldn’t finish the battle till Hamas now not poses a risk to Israelis and stated he would ship a delegation to the August 15 talks.
A Hamas official advised Reuters the group was engaged on new negotiating proposals, with out elaborating.
Israel launched its assault on Gaza after Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 individuals, principally civilians, and taking 250 hostages, in accordance with Israeli statistics.
Almost 40,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Israel’s offensive on Gaza, in accordance with the Palestinian Well being Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Well being officers stated a lot of the deaths had been amongst civilians. Israel, which has killed 329 individuals in Gaza, stated at the very least a 3rd of the Palestinian deaths had been militants. Iran-backed Hamas didn’t announce casualties.
