GAZA: An Israeli air strike on a displaced persons' camp outside a school in southern Gaza has killed at least 29 Palestinians and injured dozens more, according to hospital officials. The strike targeted the area near the gate of al-Awda school in Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis, as reported by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as "unimaginable" due to the high number of casualties. The Israeli military stated that the strike aimed at a "terrorist from Hamas' military wing" involved in the October 7 attack on Israel and mentioned they are investigating reports of civilian casualties near the school.
The European Union and Germany condemned the attack. The German foreign ministry declared on social media, "People seeking shelter in schools getting killed is unacceptable. The repeated attacks on schools by the Israeli army must stop and an investigation must come quickly."
The incident follows a recent order by the Israeli military for civilians to evacuate Abasan al-Kabira and surrounding areas, causing tens of thousands to flee. Much of Khan Younis was previously devastated by a prolonged Israeli offensive, and many Palestinians had moved there to escape ongoing operations in Rafah.
Witnesses reported widespread destruction and the deaths of women and children. Body parts were scattered at the site, and numerous people staying in tents outside the school were injured. Reports shared a graphic video capturing the missile strike, showing people watching a football match in a school courtyard and then fleeing after a loud explosion.
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