About 40 Killed in Attack on School in Gaza; Israel: It Was a Hamas and Islamic Jihad Operation Site

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that around 40 people were killed in an attack early Thursday, June 7, on a school that served as a shelter for Palestinian refugees in central Gaza. Meanwhile, the Israeli army stated that militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad were conducting military operations inside this school. The attack targeted the 'Al-Sardi' school in 'Nuseirat', which is managed by UNRWA. An Israeli army spokesperson said that the army was unaware of civilian casualties in this attack and added that intelligence indicated that militants had used this school to organize some attacks on October 7 of last year, and at least 20 militants were using it as an 'operational center' to attack Israeli soldiers at the time of the assault. The Israeli army emphasized that it had taken measures before the attack 'to reduce the risk of harming civilians, including aerial reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.' The 'Times of Israel' quoted the Israeli army as saying that between 20 to 30 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were using this UNRWA-managed school. According to the Israeli army, 'Hamas terrorists along with members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group were directing terrorist attacks from this school, and this civilian location was their hideout.' Hamas and Islamic Jihad are groups supported by the Islamic Republic in the Middle East. The 'Times of Israel' noted that the army targeted 'terrorists in three classrooms, separate from the area where civilians were sheltered.' The publication pointed out that 'the attack had been postponed twice because the army insisted that the operation be conducted with precise planning to avoid harming civilians.' Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools, UN offices, and other civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including places where civilians have taken refuge, for terrorist activities. Israel has also accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields. The Israeli army stated: 'This attack eliminated terrorists who were planning imminent terrorist attacks and advancing terrorist schemes against our forces.' Israel began its comprehensive operations in Gaza following Hamas's attack on October 7 of last year, in which Iranian-backed militants killed about 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages. Many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, and Israel, have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Israeli army claims to have monitored armed Hamas members at the UNRWA headquarters in Rafah. UNRWA announced that over one million people have left Rafah. The Secretary-General of the World Health Organization described the situation in Gaza as 'beyond catastrophe.' Reuters reported that Hamas has resorted to the 'hit-and-run' tactics of insurgent groups. Hezbollah's continued attacks on northern Israel; Netanyahu warned, and the U.S. expressed concern. Lieberman stated that the Iranian regime is planning a 'holocaust' in the next two years.