AN IDF airstrike has devastated a school in Gaza, leaving at least 30 Palestinians dead, say health officials.
The Israeli military say they blasted the building in Deir al Balah in central Gaza as it was being used as command centre for the Hamas terrorists.
ReutersAn Israeli strike has hit a school in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza[/caption]
GettyPeople were rushed to hospital after the strike[/caption]
GettyInside one of the classrooms which was obliterated in the blast[/caption]
ReutersAt least 30 people are suspected dead in the blast, according to Gaza officials[/caption]
Harrowing pictures show the damage caused by the blast with rubble from crumbling buildings seen surrounded by hundreds of Palestinians.
Smashed up cars can also be seen left outside the Khadija girls’ school which is covered in colourful paintings.
The area which was hit is believed to be one of the most populated places in Gaza with hundreds of displaced families being moved there after months of fighting.
Gaza health ministry also say over 100 others were left wounded.
The Israeli military released a statement after the precise hit saying they had targeted a “Hamas command and control center inside the Khadija school compound in central Gaza”.
The statement added the school was being used to launch attacks against Israeli soldiers as well as a weapons store.
The IDF say they warned civilians of the impending strikes and told them to evacuate to the nearby area of al Mawasi as they were due to “forcibly operate” in the area.
The offensive was in response to recent rocket fire from central Gaza, the IDF announced.
Moments after the airstrike, ambulances were sent rushing to the strip to help the wounded.
Hundreds were driven to the Al-Aqsa Hospital for treatment with many being forced to walk themselves to the medical facility covered in blood.
Israel has constantly slammed Hamas in the past for setting up their terror operations in crowded areas such as schools or hospitals to purposely cause civilian deaths.
The militant group denies doing so.
Over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes since the war began on October 7, say Gaza health officials.
Israel has repeatedly targeted Hamas terror hideouts since the Islamic group ran rampage through Gaza slaughtering 1,200 Israelis.
More than 200 people were also kidnapped and taken hostage.
A majority of hostages have since been returned to their loved ones with a number still being kept captive.
Israel say they will continue to attack Hamas until the organisation is completely wiped out amid fears they may continue to rebuild and attack again in the future.
The Israeli government has been widely criticised in recent months for their hard line approach to the war.
Many people claim they are not doing enough to limit the number of deaths – a suggestion they have repeatedly denied.
It comes as ongoing talks of a ceasefire in Gaza have continued to prove unsuccessful with both sides disagreeing on several points.
ReutersSmoke was seen rising over central Gaza after the blast[/caption]
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