September 21, 2024: In a devastating attack on Saturday, Palestinian officials reported that an Israeli airstrike killed at least 22 people at a school sheltering displaced individuals in southern Gaza City. The strike has drawn widespread condemnation, particularly because many of the casualties were reported to be women and children.

The Gaza Health Ministry indicated that among the deceased were 13 children and six women, highlighting the tragic toll of the conflict on vulnerable populations. Eyewitness accounts and footage from the scene revealed extensive destruction, with blasted walls, burnt furniture, and debris scattered throughout the area as residents attempted to salvage their belongings.

In response to the strike, the Israeli military stated that the operation targeted a Hamas command center that was allegedly embedded within the school compound. Israeli officials reiterated long-standing claims that Hamas utilizes civilian facilities for military purposes, a contention that Hamas has consistently denied.

The attack adds to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of people have been displaced due to the continuing violence.