30 killed' in Israeli strike on Gaza school sheltering displaced people

30 killed' in Israeli strike on Gaza school sheltering displaced people

Deir Al-Balah : Israeli airstrikes hit a school being used by displaced people in central Gaza on Saturday, killing dozens, as the country's negotiators prepared to meet international mediators to discuss a proposed ceasefire.

At least 30 people taking shelter at a girls' school in Deir Al-Balah were pronounced dead following the strike, which Israel’s military said targeted a Hamas command and control centre used to store weapons and plan attacks. Civil defence workers in Gaza said thousands were taking shelter in the school.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said at least 12 people had been killed in other strikes on Saturday. The strikes hit a day before officials from the US, Egypt, Qatar and Israel are scheduled to meet in Italy to discuss the ongoing hostage and ceasefire negotiations.

US officials said on Friday that Israel and Hamas are in agreement on the basic framework of the three-phase deal under consideration. However, in his speech to the US Congress, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s vowed to press forward with the war until Israel achieved “total victory”.

Palestinian officials vehemently condemned the speech. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said Netanyahu’s reception from his supporters in the US constituted a “green light” to continue Israel's offensive.

Meanwhile, 10 people were killed in a rocket attack on a football ground in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday. The Israeli military said the rocket was fired by Lebanese group Hezbollah. However, the group denied any involvement in the attack. Condemning attacks on civilians, the Lebanon government called for an end to hostilities on all fronts. — AP/ Reuters