Escalation in Gaza: Airstrike on School Compound Kills Nearly 100

An Israeli airstrike on a Gaza school compound killed nearly 100 people, primarily displaced Palestinian families. The incident, condemned globally, highlights the deepening conflict. Israel claimed the toll was overstated and some of the dead were militants. The strike has intensified international calls for a ceasefire.

An Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City school compound housing displaced Palestinian families killed around 100 people, the Gaza Civil Emergency Service reported on Saturday. Israel disputed the death toll, claiming it was inflated and included 19 militants. Disturbing video footage showed body parts scattered among the rubble and more bodies being covered by blankets.

The incident drew widespread condemnation from Arab states, Turkey, France, Britain, and the European Union, and expressed deep concern from the United States. Gaza's Civil Emergency Service, known for its credible casualty reporting, said the attack occurred during dawn prayers, with at least 93 killed, including children and women.

The Israeli military described the strike as precise, disputing claims of severe damage, and asserted that the targeted site served as a Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility. Meanwhile, conflicting narratives and the ongoing violence have heightened international pressure for a ceasefire amid fears of a broader regional conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)