U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the civilian casualties resulting from an Israeli air strike on a Gaza school building on Saturday.
According to the director of a local hospital, over 70 people, including displaced Palestinians seeking refuge, lost their lives in the attack. Harris expressed her deep concern, stating that “far too many” civilians had been killed “yet again.” She also reiterated calls for a hostage deal and a ceasefire, aligning with earlier statements from the White House.
An Israeli military spokesman claimed the al-Taba’een school was being used as a military facility by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, an allegation that Hamas denies. Speaking at a campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona, Harris acknowledged Israel’s right to target Hamas but emphasized Israel’s “important responsibility” to prevent civilian casualties.
The air strike has drawn criticism from Western and regional powers, with Egypt arguing that it indicates Israel’s lack of interest in achieving a ceasefire or ending the conflict in Gaza.
Fadl Naeem, head of al-Ahli Hospital, reported that around 70 victims had been identified, though many others were too severely disfigured to be recognized.
The Israeli military stated that the strike “precisely” targeted Hamas terrorists operating within the school, claiming that at least 19 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were killed. Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, mentioned that intelligence suggested a high probability that Ashraf Juda, commander of Islamic Jihad’s Central Camps Brigade, was present at the school during the strike. However, it is not yet confirmed if Juda was among those killed.
Hamas condemned the attack as a “horrific crime and a dangerous escalation” in what they described as Israel’s “war of extermination against the Palestinian people.” U.S. National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett reiterated concerns about Hamas using schools for military purposes but also stressed that Israel must take measures to minimize civilian casualties.
editor
So how many had she in mind, excessive? what a awful expression does she have a figure thats acceptable, any humane person would say only NO DEATHS are acceptable, wars are fought between armies, as far as we have seen the Palestinians dont have a army, navy or air force, a few freedom fighters battle on to try to put up some resistance to this on sided onslaught which according to the renowned medical journal “The Lancet” is in excess of 180000 civilians killed and of those 70% are women and children, come on Ms Harris you said “far too many” civilians had been killed ” how many do you call enough?