Over 100 Palestinians were tragically killed and many others wounded in an Israeli strike on a Gaza school that was providing shelter to displaced individuals. The strikes occurred during dawn prayers, resulting in a devastating loss of life. The Gaza health authorities have not yet provided official numbers.
The Israeli military claimed to have targeted a Hamas command and control center within the school compound. However, the Palestinian Civil Defence reported a significantly higher number of casualties, including women and children.
The incident has sparked international condemnation, with calls for an immediate ceasefire. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it barbaric and unprecedented. He urged the international community to take action against Israeli aggression and hold them accountable for war crimes.
‘Horrific’ strike amid ceasefire efforts
Efforts to resume ceasefire talks have been marred by the recent escalation of violence. Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have all condemned the strike, emphasizing the need to resume negotiations to prevent further loss of life.
The international community, including the EU foreign policy chief, has expressed horror at the deadly strike and called for an end to the violence. A new round of ceasefire negotiations has been scheduled for Thursday in hopes of de-escalating the situation.