The Palestinian News Agency reported that more than 100 Palestinians were martyred and dozens injured, at dawn on Saturday, as a result of an Israeli bombing of the Al-Tabaeen School, which shelters displaced people in the Al-Daraj neighborhood, east of Gaza City. 

Palestinian media reported that rescue teams in Gaza continued to recover dozens of bodies and injured people from under the rubble of the bombed school.

Palestinian media quoted the Civil Defense in Gaza as saying that Israeli forces targeted displaced people with 3 missiles while they were performing dawn prayers at the Al-Tabaeen School.

Commenting on the attack, the Israeli army said in a statement: “Under the guidance of IDF and Shin Bet intelligence, the Israeli Air Force accurately struck Hamas terrorists operating inside the movement’s command and control center located in the Al-Tabaeen School, which serves as a shelter for the residents of Gaza City.”

The statement added: “The command and control center served as a hideout for Hamas terrorists and leaders, where various attacks were planned and carried out against IDF forces and the State of Israel.”

He continued: “Before the raid, several steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians, including the use of precision munitions, aerial surveillance and intelligence information.”

The statement concluded by saying: “The Hamas terrorist organization systematically violates international law and operates from within civilian shelters, and brutally exploits the population and civilian institutions as human shields for its terrorist activities.”