Palestinians say Israeli strike hits U.N.-run school as Blinken meets Arab leaders
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Palestinians say Israeli strike hits U.N.-run school as Blinken meets Arab leaders
GAZA/AMMAN (Reuters) - Palestinians reported a deadly Israeli air strike on a U.N.-run school in northern Gaza serving as a shelter on Saturday as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met regional Arab leaders to discuss how to contain the conflict.
Palestinian witnesses said Israel hit Al-Fakhoura school in Jabalia, where thousands of evacuees were living in the morning. At least 15 people died and dozens more were wounded, said Gaza health ministry official Mohammad Abu Selmeyah.
Reuters footage of the aftermath showed broken furniture and other belongings lying on the ground, patches of blood spilled on the ground and over food and people crying.
"I was standing here when three bombings happened, I carried a body and another decapitated body with my own hands," a young boy said in video obtained by Reuters, crying in despair. "God will take my vengeance."
Nearby, a resident comforted a woman in shock.
One man asked angrily: "Since when has it become normal to strike shelters? This is so unfair."
Juliette Touma, director of communication for the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), confirmed to Reuters that the U.N-run school, which is in the Gaza City area, had been hit.
She said there were children among the casualties, but that UNRWA had not yet been able to verify the exact death toll.
"At least one strike hit the schoolyard where there were tents for displaced families. Another strike hit inside the school where women were baking bread," Touma said by phone.
