Palestinian authorities say more than 100 people including women and children were killed while others injured at the al-Tabin school

Sad news reported after an Israeli airstrike on the al-Tabin school in Gaza City resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people, including women and children.

The school, which had been converted into a shelter for displaced Palestinians, was struck early Saturday morning, leaving dozens wounded in addition to the high death toll.

Palestinian Officials Report Massive Casualties

Palestinian authorities have reported that the death toll from the attack on al-Tabin school exceeds 100, with expectations that this number may rise.

Gaza Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal stated that at least 90 bodies were recovered, many of them torn apart and unidentified. The strike occurred while people were performing dawn prayers at the compound.

Israel Confirms Strike, Cites Hamas Presence

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the airstrike, claiming their air force “precisely struck Hamas terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control center” embedded in the building.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari suggested that a top Islamic Jihad commander was likely present at the school during the strike, though it’s unclear if he was hit.

Conflicting Claims and International Reaction

While the IDF maintains it took steps to mitigate civilian casualties, including the use of precise munitions and intelligence information, Palestinian witnesses report there was no advance warning of the attack.

The incident has sparked international outrage, with the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, accusing Israel of “genociding the Palestinians.”

Ongoing Pattern of School Strikes

This attack marks the fifth strike on a school in Gaza by the Israeli military in less than a week, according to CNN’s reporting.

The repeated targeting of educational institutions turned shelters has raised serious concerns about the protection of civilians in the ongoing conflict.

The International community calls for an end to the violence and the protection of innocent lives caught in the crossfire of this protracted conflict.

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