Israeli attack on Gaza City school leaves 100 dead, says Hamas

In a devastating escalation of violence, an Israeli air strike targeted a school in Gaza City on August 10, reportedly killing 100 individuals. The attack, which struck Al-Tabin school located in the Al-Sahaba area, has been described as a significant tragedy by local sources.

According to Gaza’s civil defence agency, the strike occurred while displaced people were performing early morning prayers. The Hamas-run media office in Gaza condemned the strike, characterising it as a “horrific massacre.” Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the civil defence, noted that some of the deceased were found burning amid the wreckage. The rescue teams are working tirelessly to control the fires and recover the bodies of the victims while attending to the injured.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the strike. In a series of posts on X, the IDF explained that the air force had targeted a military headquarters used by Hamas. This facility was located within the Al-Tabin school complex near a mosque in the Darje Tafah area. The IDF maintained that the strike was aimed at disrupting Hamas’s operations, which they alleged were planned and executed from this site. The military stated that extensive measures were taken to minimise civilian casualties, including precision weaponry and detailed intelligence.

Earlier in the week, on August 8, the Israeli military conducted strikes on two other schools in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of over 18 people. The military claimed these attacks were aimed at Hamas command centres.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which reignited on October 7 of the previous year, has seen unprecedented violence. A surprise attack by Hamas on Israel resulted in 1,198 deaths. Israel’s subsequent military response has led to significant casualties in the Gaza Strip, with over 39,000 reported dead. Despite Israel’s stated goal of dismantling Hamas, the conflict has seen continuous and intense combat over the past ten months, including recent operations around Khan Yunis, a southern Gaza city where Israeli troops had previously withdrawn.