Israeli airstrike on mosque within Gaza school leaves 90 dead, health ministry reports

An Israeli airstrike struck a school-turned-shelter in Gaza early Saturday, killing at least 90 people, according to Palestinian health officials, in one of the bloodiest attacks in Israel's 10-month conflict with Hamas.

According to Gaza Civil Defense, individuals were doing dawn prayers at the Al-Tabi'in complex in the Al-Daraj area in eastern Gaza City when it was struck overnight into Saturday. Israel said it carried out the strike, claiming Hamas was operating there.

The Israeli military admitted it struck the Tabeen school in downtown Gaza City, claiming it hit a Hamas command center inside. Hamas denied it.

“All of these people who were targeted were civilians, unarmed children, the elderly, men and women,” said Fares Afana, director of ambulance and emergency in northern Gaza.

On Saturday, Basal stated that several of the deceased had not to be recognized, and that others who had been transported to the hospital were critically injured.

“There are still large quantities of body parts and torn bodies inside Al-Ahli hospital,” he said. “Families are having a hard time identifying their children.”

According to IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, a prominent Islamic Jihad leader was most likely present at the school when it was attacked, but it is unclear whether he was injured. According to Hagari, the commander of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization's Central Camps Brigade, Ashraf Juda, was most likely in the targeted military headquarters.

Israel has blamed Hamas for civilian casualties in Gaza, claiming that the group puts noncombatants in danger by operating from schools and residential neighborhoods. The United Nations Human Rights Office stated that colocating soldiers with civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law, but Israel must also follow the rules of care and proportionality.

Israel further stated that the school was positioned adjacent to a mosque that served as a shelter.

The White House was "deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties" following the strike, according to a spokesman for the US National Security Council.

“We are in touch with our Israeli counterparts, who have said they targeted senior Hamas officials, and we are asking for further details,” NSC spokesman Sean Savett said in a statement.

“We know Hamas has been using schools as locations to gather and operate out of, but we have also said repeatedly and consistently that Israel must take measures to minimize civilian harm,” he went on.

Egypt, which borders Gaza, said the school strike demonstrated Israel's unwillingness to negotiate a cease-fire and stop the war. Jordan condemned the strike as a "blatant violation" of international law. Qatar sought an international probe, describing it as a "heinous crime" against people.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Israeli military action has killed almost 40,000 Palestinians and injured over 90,000 others. According to UN data, about 2 million people had been displaced in the enclave by early July, accounting for practically the entire population.