Israeli military says it was targeting Hamas in strike on school in central Gaza
The Israeli military stated it “conducted a strike on Hamas terrorists” when it hit a school in central Gaza.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the attack targeted a command and control center located within the “Shuhada” al-Nuseirat school compound, which was allegedly used by terrorists to plan and carry out attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel.
The strike resulted in the deaths of at least 17 people and injured 42 others, as reported by officials from Al-Awda Hospital.
The U.S. is collaborating closely with Israel to address threats from Iran while also striving to prevent an “endless cycle of escalation.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States has been “in close coordination with Israel to deter further aggression from Iran and ensure that any response does not trigger an endless cycle of escalation.”
Speaking in Qatar on Thursday after meetings in Israel earlier in the week, Blinken emphasized that such escalation is “not in anyone’s interest,” but he refrained from commenting on Israel’s planned response to the Iranian ballistic missile attack in early October.
He also did not address questions about his confidence in Israel’s assurances that its long-awaited response would not lead to further conflict. According to sources, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have assured the U.S. that any counterstrike on Iran would be limited to military targets, avoiding oil or nuclear facilities.
Blinken noted that the U.S. is working with partners to convey to Tehran—both directly and indirectly—that further attacks on Israel “will have deeply negative consequences for Iran’s interests.”
“We are very aware of the high risk of broader conflict, which reinforces our determination to act to prevent it,” he said.
