At Least 30 Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza School: Thousands of Civilians Sheltering Inside

Deir el-Balah, central Gaza Strip Palestine, State of
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City was overwhelmed with casualties.
At least 30 people, including children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir-al Balah, central Gaza.
Israeli military had issued evacuation orders earlier in the day for Khan Younis.
Palestinian officials and witnesses reported most victims were women and children.
The Israeli military claimed the strike was aimed at destroying a Hamas command and control center.
Thousands of civilians were sheltering inside the school at the time of the attack.
At Least 30 Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza School: Thousands of Civilians Sheltering Inside

At least 30 people, including children, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir-al Balah, central Gaza. The Israeli military claimed that the strike was aimed at destroying a Hamas command and control center located inside the compound. However, Palestinian officials and witnesses reported that thousands of civilians were sheltering in the school at the time of the attack. The IDF had issued evacuation orders for Khan Younis earlier in the day, warning residents to leave areas where they believed Hamas was operating.

The Khadija School, which was hit by the airstrike, is located near Deir-al Balah. According to reports from Palestinian health officials and witnesses, most of the victims were women and children. The emergency room at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City was overwhelmed with casualties.

The Israeli military had taken steps to reduce the risk to civilians before the strike, including aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering. However, Palestinian officials condemned the attack as a disproportionate use of force against civilians seeking shelter from violence.

The incident comes amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli military has been conducting offensive operations in Khan Younis since Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of over 100 Palestinians and injuring hundreds more. The IDF had ordered civilians to evacuate the area earlier in the day due to reported rocket fire from southern Khan Younis and intelligence indicating that Hamas had embedded infrastructure in a humanitarian area there.

The Khadija School was not the only civilian structure targeted by Israeli forces during this conflict. Reports of damage to other schools, hospitals, and residential areas have emerged, raising concerns about the protection of civilians under international law.

It is important to note that all sources used in this article have an overall score below 90%, indicating a moderate level of reliability. It is crucial to remain skeptical and consider multiple perspectives when reporting on complex and sensitive issues such as this one.



Confidence

86%

Doubts
  • The Israeli military's claim that the strike was aimed at a Hamas command and control center needs further investigation.
  • The number of casualties may change as more information becomes available.

Sources

88%

  • Unique Points
    • At least 30 people have been killed and over 100 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir-al Balah, central Gaza, where thousands were sheltering, Palestinian officials said.
  • Accuracy
    • At least 30 Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli strike on a school near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
    • At least 50 people have been killed and 200 injured in Israeli airstrikes on central and southern Gaza.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to emotion. The authors use phrases such as 'at least 30 people have been killed' and 'thousands were sheltering' to elicit an emotional response from the reader. They also describe the scene inside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in graphic detail, including dead bodies on the floor and children among the deceased. These tactics are intended to sway public opinion rather than provide objective reporting. Additionally, there is a lack of clear evidence presented to support the authors' assertions about who was responsible for the attack on the school and whether it was indeed a command and control center for Hamas.
    • ]At least 30 people have been killed[
    • Most of those brought to the hospital with injuries are children
    • The emergency room is seen to be overwhelmed by casualties and has no more space for patients.
  • Bias (80%)
    The article reports that at least 30 people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials. The Israeli military claims it was targeting a Hamas command and control center inside the compound. While the article does not take sides on who is telling the truth, it does provide quotes from both sides and shows footage of dead bodies and injured people at a hospital. However, the title of the article implies that Israel is responsible for killing innocent civilians in a school. This could be seen as an example of bias against Israel.
    • At least 30 people have been killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir-al Balah, central Gaza, where thousands were sheltering, Palestinian officials said.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    84%

    • Unique Points
      • At least 30 Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli strike on a school near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
      • The IDF claimed a Hamas command and control centre was located inside the Khadija School.
      • Hamas used the compound as a hiding place to direct and plan attacks and store weapons according to the IDF.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (75%)
      The article reports on a tragic event with direct quotes from multiple sources. However, it does contain some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses phrases like 'kills at least 30' and 'more than 100 injured', which is inflammatory in nature as it incites strong emotions without providing evidence for the specific numbers of casualties. Additionally, there are several appeals to authority by quoting the Hamas-run ministry of health, Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Gaza's health ministry and the BBC. These quotes should be carefully evaluated to distinguish between statements made by these authorities and their respective positions.
      • kills at least 30
      • more than 100 injured
      • Israel’s military has struck a school near Deir al-Balah...according to the Hamas-run ministry of health.
      • The IDF said that before the strike it took steps to reduce the risk to civilians “including the use of appropriate munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence”.
    • Bias (50%)
      The author uses language that depicts the Israeli military as indiscriminately targeting civilians and children in particular, without providing any evidence to support this assertion. The author also quotes the Hamas-run ministry of health and Gaza's civil defence service, who claim that civilians were killed and injured, but does not provide any counterevidence from Israeli sources.
      • at least 30 Palestinians and injuring more than 100, according to the Hamas-run ministry of health.
        • Gaza's civil defence service said the school was sheltering displaced people.
          • Hamas condemned the attack in a statement on Telegram, saying 'displaced, sick and wounded people, most of whom were women and children'' were killed.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          56%

          • Unique Points
            • At least 30 people, including children, have been killed in an Israeli air attack on a shelter in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza.
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (0%)
            The article uses emotional manipulation by stating 'at least 30 people, including children, have been killed' and 'hundreds of Palestinians remain trapped'. The article also uses selective reporting by only mentioning the deaths caused by the Israeli attack and ignoring any potential causalities or actions from the Palestinian side. There is no disclosure of sources in this article.
            • at least 30 people, including children, have been killed
            • hundreds of Palestinians remain trapped
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (0%)
            The authors use language that depicts the Israeli military as denying access to rescue teams and allowing hundreds of Palestinians to remain trapped in a dangerous area. This is an example of bias against Israel.
            • hundreds of Palestinians remain trapped in eastern Khan Younis “amid intense hostilities” and rescue teams are “unable to reach them due to the denial of access by the Israeli military”.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            76%

            • Unique Points
              • At least 50 people have been killed and 200 injured in Israeli airstrikes on central and southern Gaza.
              • A strike hit Khadija school in Deir al-Balah, killing at least 30 people.
              • Four people were killed by Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese town of Kafr Kila.
              • Mediators from Israeli intelligence and others are holding talks in Rome to discuss ceasefire and hostage release.
              • Hamas militants used Khadija school as a command and control complex, according to IDF.
            • Accuracy
              • , At least 30 people have been killed and over 100 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school in Deir-al Balah, central Gaza, where thousands were sheltering, Palestinian officials said.
              • At least 30 Palestinians, including children, were killed in an Israeli strike on a school near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
              • At least 30 people, including children, have been killed in an Israeli air attack on a shelter in Deir el-Balah.
            • Deception (30%)
              The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of Israeli airstrikes killing civilians in Gaza. The article does not provide any context or counter-arguments from the Israeli side. It also uses emotional manipulation by describing the deaths of children and wounded people, and sensationalism by using phrases like 'wave of Israeli airstrikes' and 'deadly Israeli airstrike'. The author does not disclose any sources for her information.
              • The IDF called on Palestinians in the south of Khan Younis to ‘temporarily evacuate’ to a shrinking humanitarian zone in the coastal area of al-Mawasi,
              • A wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting central and southern Gaza have killed at least 50 people and injured an estimated 200,
              • Israeli airstrikes have also targeted areas previously designated as safe.
              • It said that close to the hospital where those killed in the strike were taken, its reporters witnessed people fleeing as an ambulance drove in the opposite direction.
            • Fallacies (80%)
              The author makes an appeal to authority when stating that the IDF said they targeted the Khadija school in Deir al-Balah because it was being used as a 'command and control complex' by Hamas militants. This is not a fallacy in itself, but it does not provide any evidence or reasoning from the author for why this claim is true. Additionally, there are instances of inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article, such as referring to Israeli airstrikes as 'deadly' and describing Hamas militants as firing 'a barrage of rocket fire.' While these descriptions may be factually accurate, they can be seen as biased and inflammatory. Lastly, there is an example of a dichotomous depiction when the author describes the IDF's actions towards civilians as both 'mitigating harm to the civilian population' and 'increasing their attacks on the same areas, as well as potential escape routes.'
              • ]The IDF called on Palestinians in the south of Khan Younis to 'temporarily evacuate' to a shrinking humanitarian zone in the coastal area of al-Mawasi, to where hundreds of thousands have fled in recent months after fighting in the southern city of Rafah as well as a renewed Israeli assault on Khan Younis.'[
              • The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, estimates that more than 80% of the Gaza Strip 'has been placed under evacuation orders or designated as a no-go zone,' while many seeking shelter there describe being displaced upwards of five times.
            • Bias (80%)
              The author does not explicitly express any bias in the article. However, the title and some parts of the body suggest a negative stance towards Israeli airstrikes that killed people in Gaza. The author reports facts about the number of casualties and injured people without taking sides. However, she quotes Palestinian health ministry officials and mentions Hamas militants being present in certain areas as reasons for Israeli strikes, which could be perceived as biased against Israel. Additionally, the article mentions that Israeli forces issued evacuation orders while increasing their attacks on the same areas and potential escape routes, which could be seen as disproportionate and potentially harmful to civilians. This could be an example of monetary bias if it is implied that Israel is causing unnecessary harm to civilians for financial gain.
              • A wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting central and southern Gaza have killed at least 50 people and injured an estimated 200, with one strike hitting a school where thousands were seeking shelter.
                • It said that close to the hospital where those killed in the strike were taken, its reporters witnessed people fleeing as an ambulance drove in the opposite direction. Inside the ambulance, it said, lay a dead toddler as well as another body shrouded in a blanket.
                  • The IDF called on Palestinians in the south of Khan Younis to “temporarily evacuate” to a shrinking humanitarian zone in the coastal area of al-Mawasi, to where hundreds of thousands have fled in recent months after fighting in the southern city of Rafah as well as a renewed Israeli assault on Khan Younis.
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication