The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli air strikes on a mosque and a school housing displaced Palestinians in central Gaza resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals on Sunday morning. The strikes, which targeted the Ibn Rushd school and Al-Aqsa Martyrs mosque in Deir al-Balah, also left dozens more injured, according to ministry officials.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating that they aimed at Hamas militants believed to be operating “command and control” centers at the targeted locations. In the northern region of Gaza, Israeli forces have surrounded the Jabalia area, claiming it was a response to Hamas efforts to rebuild.
Videos verified by the BBC from the scene show distressing images of bodies and blood among the debris at the mosque, while footage from the school depicts flames engulfing the structure, with a man being evacuated on a stretcher. Earlier reports from the Hamas-run civil defense agency indicated that at least 21 people were killed in the mosque strike alone. Reuters reported that the airstrikes had injured at least 93 individuals, as per data from Gaza’s Hamas-controlled media office.
The air strikes come nearly one year after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas gunmen on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. Since that attack, the Hamas-run health ministry estimates that 41,870 Palestinians have died and more than 97,000 have been injured in Gaza, without distinguishing between civilians and combatants.
The United Nations, which relies on figures from the Gaza health ministry, indicated that at least 187 individuals were killed in Gaza between September 30 and October 4 alone. In response to the air strikes, Hamas condemned Israel for “bombing citizens’ homes and demolishing them over their heads,” resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) defended their actions, stating that “many steps were taken to reduce the chance of harming civilians,” including precision weaponry and aerial surveillance. The IDF accused Hamas of using civilian institutions and populations as human shields for their military operations.
Later on Sunday, the IDF targeted another school in northern Gaza, claiming it was being utilized as a Hamas “command and control complex.” Hamas has denied these allegations, insisting they do not use schools or civilian sites for military purposes.
As the conflict escalates, the IDF has issued warnings about the dangers in northern Gaza, while also reopening humanitarian zones in al-Mawasi in southern Gaza. However, the zone remains smaller than it was at the beginning of July. Both the mosque and school struck on Sunday are located within the humanitarian zone.
Due to restrictions imposed by Israel, independent access for international journalists, including those from the BBC, to Gaza remains limited, complicating efforts to verify the situation on the ground.
