An Israeli airstrike on an educational institution used as a shelter in the Gaza Strip has killed at least 25 people, mostly women and children, according to the region's Health Ministry.
More than 55 people were also injured in the attack on a school in northern Gaza, Fahmi Awad, head of the ministry's emergency services, said.
He noted that the school was attacked three times while people were sleeping and their belongings caught fire. Videos circulating online showed rescuers trying to put out the fire and recover charred remains.
The Israeli military said the strike targeted a militant command center inside the school that Hamas and Islamic Jihad had used to gather intelligence to prepare attacks.
Israel blames Hamas for the civilian deaths, saying its attacks are taking place in residential areas.
Israel resumed its military operations in March after a ceasefire with Hamas ended. It has vowed to regain control of Gaza and continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed or disarmed and the remaining 58 hostages, a third of whom are believed to still be alive, are returned from the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.
More than half of the hostages were returned under ceasefire or other agreements, eight people were rescued and Israeli forces found the remains of dozens more.
Gaza's Health Ministry says Israel's response has killed some 54,000 Palestinians. It says more than half the dead are women and children, but does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its tally.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
