"A new massacre by Israeli security forces took place today. Some time ago, one of the schools in the Shejaiya area, where a large number of families lived, was hit ... at the moment, the bodies of 10 victims have been taken to the hospital," Basal told reporters, adding that dozens of people and the bodies of the dead still remain under the rubble.
The airstrike was prompted by intelligence indicating that Palestinian movement Hamas was using a compound at the school to plan attacks against Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said later in the day.
"Based on IDF and ISA [Israel Security Agency] intelligence, the IAF [Israeli air force] struck terrorists operating inside a compound within the Dalal School in the area of Shejaiya in Gaza City. The compound was used by Hamas as a hideout for commanders and operatives and to plan terror attacks against the State of Israel," the IDF said on Telegram.
Before the attack, "numerous steps were taken" to reduce civilian casualties, the IDF added.
On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In response, Hamas fighters infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took more than 200 hostages. According to the authorities, about 1,200 people were killed during the raid.
In retaliation, the IDF launched Operation Iron Swords in the Gaza Strip, which included strikes on civilian targets. Israel announced a complete blockade of the enclave, cutting off supplies of water, electricity, fuel, food and medicines. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll from Israeli strikes on the enclave since October 7 has exceeded 39,400, with more than 91,100 people injured.