Palestinians reported that an Israeli strike resulted in the death of at least 22 individuals at a school in southern Gaza City on Saturday, which was being used as a shelter for displaced people. The Israeli military, on the other hand, claimed that the attack was aimed at a Hamas command center. The Gaza health ministry confirmed that the majority of those killed were women and children. The Hamas-run government media office further detailed that among the deceased were 13 children, including a three-month-old baby, and six women.
The Israeli military asserted that it targeted a Hamas command center located within the compound that was formerly a school, reiterating the accusation that Hamas utilizes civilian facilities for military purposes—a claim that Hamas vehemently denies. In Rafah, situated in the southern Gaza Strip, the Gaza health ministry reported that four health workers were killed in an Israeli strike that targeted ministry warehouses. The ministry added that ambulance crews were unable to reach the deceased or provide treatment to the injured.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Israeli military disclosed that forces operating in Rafah since May have eliminated dozens of militants in recent weeks and dismantled military infrastructure and tunnel shafts. Israel's insistence on maintaining control over the southern border line between Rafah and Egypt has been a significant obstacle in international efforts to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Hamas emphasizes its commitment to reaching an agreement to end the war and secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, whereas Israel maintains that the conflict can only conclude once Hamas is eradicated. Another contentious issue has been the specifics of a potential exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
