Gaza: Israeli airstrikes on Saturday struck a girls’ school in central Gaza’s Deir al Balah, killing at least 30 Palestinians and wounding over 100 others, according to Palestinian officials. The Israeli military said in a statement it had targeted a “Hamas command and control center inside the Khadija school compound in central Gaza”.
Deir al Balah is one of the areas most populated with displaced families as many fled their homes in Gaza due to the intense fighting. Disturbing visuals emerged as ambulances raced wounded Palestinians into the Al-Aqsa Hospital, while some of the victims arrived on foot with their clothes stained with blood. Gaza’s Health Ministry said 14 people were killed in other strikes on Saturday.
The planned strike comes a day before officials from the US, Egypt, Qatar and Israel are scheduled to meet in Italy and discuss the ongoing hostage and cease-fire negotiations. CIA Director Bill Burns is expected to meet Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, Mossad director David Barnea and Egyptian spy chief Abbas Kamel on Sunday, according to officials.