At least 37 killed in Israeli attack on camp in Gaza

On Thursday, Israel targeted a school building run by the United Nations in Gaza, which the Israeli army claimed was a base for the extremist group Hamas. Health officials in Gaza reported that at least 37 people, including 5 children, were killed in this Israeli military attack that occurred early Thursday morning, June 7, on a shelter in central Gaza. The shelter, located in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, was previously a school managed by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Schools under UNRWA's supervision across Gaza have served as shelters for the majority of the 2.3 million population of Gaza since the war began eight months ago. Officials at the 'Martyrs of Al-Aqsa' hospital in Deir al-Balah stated that in addition to the bodies of those killed at the school, the bodies of six others who were killed in an Israeli attack on a house were also transferred to this medical center. The Médecins Sans Frontières group reported the transfer of at least 70 bodies and 200 injured, most of whom were women and children, to the central Gaza hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Israeli army announced that in a new round of air and ground operations in central Gaza, it attacked a complex where 'elite' Hamas forces and members of the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were present, as they were considered an 'immediate threat.' Hamas is regarded as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. The Israeli army also reported on Wednesday that its operations in the eastern part of Deir al-Balah and the al-Bureij camp in central Gaza began with air and ground operations against 'militant infrastructure' and continued with 'targeted operations during the day' in both areas. The Israeli army added that prior to the attack, it had taken 'many measures,' including aerial surveillance of the situation at the site, to ensure that civilians were not targeted and to minimize potential harm to civilians. Avichai Adraee, the Israeli army spokesperson for Arab media, stated in a statement that Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and ISIS members had taken refuge in location classes in the Nuseirat camp, which was previously a school. Captain Adraee added that elite Hamas and Jihad forces participated in the massacre on October 7 (the day of Hamas's surprise attack on Israeli territory, which led to the Israeli army's war against Hamas in Gaza) and that it would be better for the Hamas communications ministry spokesperson to 'stop lying.' However, Ismail al-Thawabeh, the media office director of Hamas, rejected Israel's statements and accused the country of 'horrific genocide.' The al-Bureij area had also witnessed several weeks of Israeli army operations about six months ago. The Israeli army stated that its forces at the Rafah border were targeted early Thursday by several Hamas members, and in the ensuing fire, three Hamas members were killed while one escaped. The Gaza war entered its 244th day on Thursday. The war continues while Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, three key players in mediating between Israel and Hamas, are awaiting Hamas's response to a ceasefire proposal that the U.S. President presented last Friday as an Israeli proposal. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political bureau, stated on Wednesday that his organization would 'seriously' and 'positively' consider any ceasefire agreement based on stopping the war, complete withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip, and a deal for the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli captives. However, the Saudi newspaper Asharq reported on June 7 that Hamas rejected a draft agreement that had reached its members, deeming its details inconsistent with the provisions of the proposal announced by Joe Biden. Asharq reported that Hamas believes this agreement would not lead to a sustainable ceasefire, that 'occupying' forces would remain in Gaza, and that after securing the release of Israeli hostages, they would resume the 'devastating war against the Palestinian people.' Hamas officials have not responded to the Asharq report. Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, stated on Wednesday night that Hamas must accept this agreement 'now' and that the only obstacle between the Palestinians in Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas. The Israeli army announced early Thursday that Rafael Kauders, a reserve military personnel, was killed in a Hezbollah drone attack on Wednesday evening in the village of Khurfish in western Galilee in northern Israel. In that Hezbollah drone attack, ten other Israelis, apparently all soldiers stationed at the northern border, were injured. The Israeli army added that in response to increasing Hezbollah assaults, it conducted retaliatory strikes in southern Lebanon. The Al-Mayadeen network, aligned with Hezbollah and the Islamic Republic of Iran, reported that Israel targeted areas in al-Adaysah, Sadiqin, Adshit, Beit Yahoun, and Kafr Jilou with airstrikes on Wednesday night and early Thursday. Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, in a speech on Wednesday night on the anniversary of the 'unification of Jerusalem' during the Six-Day War in 1967, stated that his country cannot remain silent about the terrorism that is daily occurring from the Lebanese border, in blatant violation of all international resolutions. Mr. Herzog warned that if the situation gets out of control and the world sees that Israel one day engages in 'severe and decisive action,' it should not be surprised.