At least 30 people, mostly women and children, were killed and over 100 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school in central Gaza, where over 4,000 displaced individuals had sought refuge.

The deadly airstrike hit the Khadija girls' school in Deir al Balah, which the Israeli military claimed was being used as a Hamas command center. This attack comes amid ongoing conflicts, with Gaza health officials reporting high civilian casualties and mass displacements. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as efforts for a ceasefire continue.

The attack occurred on Friday evening at the Khadija girls' school, housing more than 4,000 people who had fled their homes amid escalating conflict. The airstrike instantly reduced classrooms to rubble, triggering a desperate search by survivors to find and assist the injured or unaccounted loved ones. According to Gaza's health authorities, the majority of those killed or injured were women and children.

Wounded individuals were rushed to the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for treatment. Medical personnel at the scene struggled to manage the influx of severely injured patients, highlighting the dire state of medical resources in the region. The hospital, already stretched thin, faced the heartbreaking task of attending to another wave of civilian casualties.

The Israeli military contended that the airstrike was a targeted operation against a Hamas command and control center alleged to be within the school compound. They claimed to have undertaken numerous precautions to minimize civilian harm, which included choosing appropriate munitions and conducting aerial surveillance supported by additional intelligence. Despite these assertions, the airstrike led to considerable civilian loss.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as residents of Deir al Balah sifted through the rubble, hoping to rescue survivors and recover the bodies of the deceased. Buildings around the school also sustained damage, complicating rescue efforts for emergency responders and residents alike.

This incident forms part of a larger pattern of violence and devastation in Gaza. Since the conflict's onset, Israeli military actions have resulted in the deaths of over 39,000 Palestinians, with more than 90,000 others injured. The relentless airstrikes and ground operations have also displaced nearly two million Gaza residents.

In response to the attack, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders in Khan Younis, a region just south of Deir al Balah, signifying potential further military actions. The recent history of the conflict suggests that such strikes often result in high civilian casualties and humanitarian distress.

Earlier the same day, other Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis caused at least fourteen fatalities. These incidents are part of a broader campaign by Israel to subdue Hamas activities.

This current conflict follows an October attack by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of over 200 individuals. This attack by Hamas has spurred Israel to intensify its military operations in Gaza in retaliation.

The situation remains dire and fluid, with ongoing international discussions aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement. These negotiations are focusing on conditions for both sides, including the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for cessation of hostilities.

Health authorities in Gaza have pointed out the difficulty of distinguishing between fighters and civilians among the victims of the ongoing airstrikes. This ambiguity complicates the narrative and the humanitarian response, often escalating tensions between involved parties.

The international community is observing the situation closely, with various calls for restraint and protection of civilians. However, achieving a sustainable ceasefire amidst deep-seated hostilities continues to be a formidable challenge, with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza growing increasingly severe by the day.