A deadly Israeli strike hit a school being used as a shelter in Gaza City on Friday, resulting in the deaths of five people, according to Palestinian authorities. The Israeli military stated it fired at what it called "suspicious individuals" in the area.
Details of the Attack
The incident occurred at the Gaza Martyrs School, located in the Tuffah neighbourhood east of Gaza City. Mahmud Bassal, the spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, confirmed to AFP that five martyrs were recovered from the site following the Israeli shelling. The school had been converted into a shelter for displaced civilians amidst the ongoing conflict.
Israeli Military's Response
When questioned about the event, the Israeli military provided a different account. It said that during operational activity near the so-called Yellow Line in northern Gaza, troops identified a number of suspicious individuals in command structures west of this boundary. "Shortly after identification, the troops fired at the suspicious individuals to eliminate the threat," a statement read.
The military further noted it was "aware of the claim regarding casualties in the area, and the details are under review." It added, "The (Israeli military) regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to mitigate harm to the extent possible."
Context of the Yellow Line
The Yellow Line is a significant demarcation in the current ceasefire arrangement. Under a US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have withdrawn to positions east of this line. The military's statement indicates the reported firing occurred west of this line, in an area from which Israeli forces were supposed to have pulled back.
This tragic event highlights the continued volatility and dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where civilian infrastructure, including schools, has repeatedly come under fire during the prolonged conflict. The conflicting narratives from the two sides underscore the challenges in establishing clear facts on the ground amidst ongoing hostilities.
