At least 11 Palestinians were killed in Gaza City when the Israeli military conducted an airstrike on the Safad school, which was providing refuge to displaced individuals.
Initially reported as six casualties, the death toll has since risen to 11, as confirmed by a medical source.
The strike also resulted in injuries, with victims being treated at the al-Ahli Arab Hospital.
According to witnesses reporting to the Anadolu news agency, the bombing was so severe that it left the bodies of the deceased fragmented and dispersed.
The school, which housed hundreds, suffered significant damage with one building completely destroyed. Following threats of further attacks from Israel, the Palestinian Civil Defense Agency evacuated the facility.
Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023, Israel has targeted critical infrastructure in Gaza, such as schools, hospitals, and religious sites, under claims of association with Hamas, which are often unsubstantiated.
The broader assault on Gaza has resulted in over 40,738 deaths, predominantly women and children, and has injured 94,154 individuals since early October, following a response by Palestinian resistance movements.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health’s statement highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, noting that Israeli forces committed three massacres against families in Gaza within the past 24 hours alone.
These attacks resulted in 47 deaths and 94 injuries, with victims being brought to hospitals amidst the chaos.
As the conflict reaches its 331st day, the situation remains dire. The Ministry reported that many victims are still trapped under rubble or lying in the streets, with rescue and medical teams unable to reach them due to the relentless bombardment.
The current escalation in Gaza began in early October, marking one of the deadliest periods in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The violence erupted following a series of events, including heightened tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, leading to a significant military response from Israel.
