On August 10, 2024, an Israeli airstrike targeted the Al-Taba’een school in the Al-Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City, resulting in a devastating loss of Palestinian lives. Reports from various sources indicate between 80 to 100 people were killed, with dozens more injured. The attack occurred during morning prayers, striking a school that was housing thousands of displaced Palestinians.Mahmoud Bassal, a spokesperson for the Gaza Civil Defense, described the scene as an ‘atrocious massacre,’ with bodies on fire and rescue teams struggling to contain the blaze and recover victims. Local sources reported that bodies were mutilated due to the explosion, and the fire that broke out made it difficult for rescue teams to collect the scattered remains.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, stating they had ‘precisely struck Hamas terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control center embedded in the Al Taba’een school’. The IDF claimed that multiple steps were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including the use of precision munitions, air surveillance, and intelligence gathering. However, Palestinian sources and international observers have questioned these claims, given the high civilian death toll.This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing conflict, with at least 39,699 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The attack has sparked renewed international concern, with the international community exerting pressure on Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and resume negotiations.This is not the first time Israeli attacks have targeted schools in Gaza. The Gaza Civil Defense Agency reported that on Thursday, attacks on two schools in the same city killed over 18 people. The ongoing violence continues to take a heavy toll on civilian life in Gaza, with more than 1.9 million people driven from their homes over the past 10 months of conflict.
Key points
- An Israeli airstrike on the Al-Taba’een school in Gaza City killed between 80 to 100 Palestinians during morning prayers.
- The IDF claims the school housed a Hamas command center, but Palestinian sources dispute this given the high civilian death toll.
- The attack has intensified international pressure for a ceasefire and renewed negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Contradictions👾The exact death toll varies across reports, ranging from 80 to over 100.
👾The IDF claims to have taken precautions to minimize civilian casualties, which contrasts with the high number of reported civilian deaths.
