Israeli strike in Gaza kills more than 70, hospital says
BBC | An Israeli air strike on a school building sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City has killed more than 70 people, the director of a hospital has told the BBC.
Fadl Naeem, head of al-Ahli Hospital where many of the casualties were taken, said those were the victims who had been identified so far, with the remains of many others so badly disfigured that identification was difficult.
An Israeli military spokesman said al-Taba’een school "served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility", which Hamas denies.
The strike has been criticised by Western powers, as well as regional countries which have said it shows Israel has no desire to reach a ceasefire or end the Gaza war.
According to the United Nations, 477 out of 564 school buildings in Gaza had been directly hit or damaged as of 6 July, with more than a dozen targeted since.
Al-Taba’een school housed more 1,000 people - having recently received dozens of displaced people from the town of Beit Hanoun, after the Israeli army ordered them to leave their homes.
The building also served as a mosque and the Israeli strike hit during dawn prayers, witnesses said.
Jaafar Taha, a student who lives near the school, told the BBC the sound of the bombing was followed by screaming and noise.
"'Save us, save us,' they were screaming," he said.
"The scene was horrific. There were body parts everywhere and blood covering the walls."
Salim Oweis, spokesman for the UN children's agency, Unicef, told the BBC the attack was "really outrageous".
"All those schools are really packed with civilians, children, mothers and families, who are taking refuge in any empty space whether it's a school or it's a mosque, whatever it is, even in hospital yards."
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