CNN
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A minimum of 22 folks, largely ladies and kids, have been killed in an Israeli strike on a college compound Saturday, Palestinian officers stated, with Israel saying it focused Hamas fighters sheltering there.

A spokesman for the Gaza Civil Protection, Mahmoud Basal, stated the missile hit the Al-Zaytoun Faculty, close to Gaza Metropolis, the place hundreds have been sheltering.

The Authorities Media Workplace in Gaza stated 13 youngsters, together with a 3-month-old toddler have been killed. Different youngsters wanted amputations, the GMO stated.

The Israeli army stated that the compound was getting used as a Hamas command middle and precautions had been taken to keep away from civilian casualties.

Plane “carried out a exact strike on terrorists who have been working inside a Hamas command and management middle in Gaza Metropolis” the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) stated.

“The command and management middle, which was embedded inside a compound that beforehand served because the Al Falah Faculty, was utilized by Hamas terrorists to plan and perform terrorist assaults.”

CNN is unable to confirm whether or not Hamas operatives have been current on the compound. The IDF has regularly accused Hamas of utilizing faculties and hospitals from which to direct operations.

A CNN stringer filming the aftermath stated that Civil Protection employees stated that a minimum of 20 folks have been killed. Video from the scene confirmed a number of casualties as rescue employees scrambled by way of particles.

A girl who had been staying on the faculty advised CNN: “There was no warning. We have been sitting within the faculties, and out of the blue missiles began raining down on us. There was no warning. The place is the conscience?”

The girl, who didn’t give her identify, added: “My message is that this warfare and the bloodshed ought to make you get up. All of you might be numb and don’t really feel something … No faculties, no hospitals, no meals, no water. Disgrace on you.”

A lady who stated her identify was Amal, and was additionally sheltering on the faculty, requested: “What have we, the youngsters, performed to get up and fall asleep in concern? A minimum of cease the bombing of colleges. We have now no faculties, no properties — the place ought to we go?

“Everybody was martyred, all of them have been martyred, torn to items,” she stated.

“The Arab nations are afraid and don’t wish to intervene — why are you scared? What’s our fault? Name for a truce and finish this. What’s flawed with you?” requested Amal.

Amid a flare-up in tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Israel continues to function in Gaza the place it’s in search of to destroy Hamas following the October 7 assaults, claiming the killing of a distinguished Hamas operative and several other different fighters.

The IDF additionally stated Saturday that troops had lately detected “armed militants” robbing a humanitarian assist truck within the Rafah space, with out giving a date.

Whereas securing the humanitarian route, the IDF stated, “troops recognized armed militants robbing a humanitarian assist truck. In a swift operation, the troops directed drones that positioned the militants fleeing in a automotive, and so they have been eradicated by IAF plane.”

The safety of humanitarian convoys has been a problem for assist companies, with looting a frequent downside.