Israel faces anger over Gaza school strike which rescuers say killed 93

GAZA CITY (AFP) – Rescuers in Gaza said an Israeli air strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians killed 93 people on Saturday, sparking international condemnation despite Israel’s insistence that it was targeting militants.

The bombardment of Al-Tabieen religious school and mosque drew criticism from across the Middle East and beyond alongside calls for a ceasefire, after international mediators invited the warring sides to resume talks towards a long-sought truce and hostage-release deal.

Civil defence rescuers in the Hamas-ruled territory said three Israeli missiles hit the complex in Gaza City while people were performing dawn prayers. The military confirmed it had used “three precise munitions”.

Spokesman for the civil defence agency Mahmud Bassal said 11 children and six women were among the 93 who died at the school shelter, “and there are many unidentified body parts”.

“They dropped a missile on them while they were just praying,” said one woman, mourning over a dead child shrouded in a plastic body bag.

Israel’s military said it had “precisely struck” Al-Tabieen, later adding that intelligence suggested at least 19 Hamas and terrorists were eliminated. Hamas denounced it as a “dangerous escalation”, while the Palestinian group’s Lebanese ally Hezbollah called it a “horrific massacre”. Iran condemned what it called a “barbaric attack”.

“Those who were inside the mosque were all killed,” said local resident Abu Wassim. “Even the floor above, where women and children were sleeping, was completely burned.”

With nearly all of the Gaza Strip’s 2.4 million people displaced at least once during the war, many have sought refuge in school buildings, which have been hit at least 14 times since July 6, according to an AFP tally.

Israel has made similar accusations of armed activities after strikes on school shelters, while Hamas has denied using civilian facilities for military aims.

United States National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said Hamas has been operating out of schools, “but we have also said repeatedly and consistently that Israel must take measures to minimise civilian harm”.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said the timing was an indication of Israel’s efforts to “obstruct and thwart” the latest mediation effort.

One of the mediators, Qatar, called for an “urgent international investigation”, while Turkiye claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted “to sabotage ceasefire negotiations”.