The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has reported that 26 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes that hit a mosque and a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza.
According to the ministry, the strikes early on Sunday targeted Ibn Rushd school and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs mosque, leaving dozens more injured.
The Israeli military confirmed it had conducted airstrikes on the sites, stating they were being used as “command and control” centres by Hamas militants.
In northern Gaza, Israeli forces have surrounded the Jabalia area in response to what it claims are Hamas efforts to rebuild in the region. Israel also updated evacuation routes in the north and expanded the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi, though the new zone remains smaller than it was earlier in the year.
Videos from the mosque site reveal bodies and blood scattered among the rubble, while footage from the school shows the building engulfed in flames, with one man being pulled out on a stretcher.
Hamas accused Israel of targeting civilian areas, stating that the strikes demolished homes and killed scores of people.
In contrast, the Israel Defence Forces, IDF, stated that efforts had been made to minimise civilian casualties by using precision weaponry and gathering intelligence. They accused Hamas of using civilian locations as shields for military operations.
The strikes come nearly one year after the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken.
Since the conflict began, Gaza’s health ministry has reported the deaths of 41,870 Palestinians, with more than 97,000 injured, though it does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
The United Nations, citing Gaza health ministry figures, noted that 187 people were killed in Gaza between September 30 and October 4 alone.
Israel has barred independent international journalists from entering Gaza, complicating efforts to verify information from the region.
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