Israel targeted a Gaza school on Thursday, claiming it housed a Hamas compound and killed fighters involved in the October 7 attack that triggered the eight-month war. However, Gaza media reported at least 27 civilians seeking shelter were killed in the strike.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, head of the Hamas-run government media office, denied Israel’s claims that the U.N. school in Nuseirat contained a Hamas command post, accusing Israel of fabricating stories to justify the attack on displaced civilians. The Israeli military stated they took steps to minimize civilian harm before the strike by fighter jets.
Israel Maintains Military Pressure During Ceasefire Talks
Israel has maintained that fighting will continue during ceasefire talks. In a blow to a truce proposal supported by U.S. President Joe Biden, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh demanded a permanent end to the war and an Israeli withdrawal as part of any ceasefire agreement. Haniyeh’s remarks seemed to be a response to Biden’s proposal, and a senior Hamas official confirmed this with a “👍-thumbs up” emoji.
The U.S. is pushing hard for an agreement, with CIA Director William Burns meeting officials from mediators Qatar and Egypt to discuss the ceasefire proposal. Previous ceasefire attempts since a brief truce in November have failed, with Hamas insisting on a permanent resolution while Israel is only willing to consider temporary pauses until Hamas is defeated.
Biden has repeatedly suggested that ceasefires were imminent, but none have materialized. The latest announcement came amid increased pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war and negotiate the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas initiated the conflict with an attack on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and capturing over 250 hostages. Approximately half of the hostages were released during the November truce. The ongoing Israeli military assault on Gaza has resulted in over 36,000 deaths, according to Gaza health officials, with many more feared buried under rubble.
Despite Biden presenting the ceasefire proposal as an Israeli offer, Israel’s government has been tepid in public. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition members have threatened to quit if a peace deal is made that leaves Hamas intact, risking new elections and potentially ending Netanyahu’s political career. Centrist opponents in Netanyahu’s war cabinet have also threatened to resign, citing the government’s lack of a plan.
Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Israel’s offensive would continue during ceasefire negotiations, stating any talks with Hamas would occur under active conflict. Israel launched a new operation against Hamas in central Gaza on Wednesday, where airstrikes reportedly killed dozens. Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters engaged Israeli forces throughout the enclave, firing anti-tank rockets and shells.
Two children were among those killed, laid out in Gaza’s Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father, Abu Mohammed Abu Saif, expressed grief over their deaths, calling the situation “destruction that words are unable to express.”
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