Israeli strike on UN-run school in Gaza kills at least 15: Palestinian health official

Palestinians reported a devastating Israeli strike on a school in Gaza City that was serving as a shelter. The strike occurred on a Saturday and hit the al-Fakhoura school in Jabalia, where thousands of evacuees had taken refuge. Tragically, at least 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured, according to Mohammad Abu Selmeyah, an official in the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave. The aftermath of the strike was grim, with broken furniture and personal belongings scattered on the ground, blood stains, and distraught people. A young boy recounted his horrifying experience of witnessing three bombings and having to carry two bodies, one of which was decapitated. He was in despair and cried out for divine retribution.

In the vicinity, a resident was seen comforting a woman in shock. A man expressed his anger and frustration, questioning when it became acceptable to target shelters. Juliette Touma, the director of communication for the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), confirmed that the UN-run school had been hit. She reported that children were among the casualties, but the exact death toll was yet to be verified. According to Touma, at least one strike hit the schoolyard where displaced families had set up tents, and another strike hit the interior of the school where women were baking bread. The health ministry in Gaza reported another Israeli missile strike that killed two women at the entrance of the Nasser Children Hospital, with several more people injured. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either incident.

Israeli air strikes on Gaza continued as Blinken sought 'pauses' in the war. Israel's ground forces had encircled Gaza City after intensifying a bombing campaign aimed at eradicating Hamas, following an assault by the militant group that resulted in 1,400 deaths and over 240 hostages. Gaza health officials reported that the Israeli assault had so far resulted in more than 9,488 Palestinian deaths. Israel had previously ordered all civilians to evacuate the northern part of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, where it claimed Hamas militants were hiding in tunnels. Despite this, it continued to bomb the entire enclave, asserting that the militants were hiding among civilians. Many people chose to remain in the north, feeling trapped. The military announced that it would allow Palestinians to travel on a main Gaza Strip highway, the Salah a-Din road, for a few hours on a Saturday. They urged people to head south for their own safety.