GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it’s looking into what happened at a compound containing a U.N. school in the Gaza Strip, where at least 15 people died today and dozens were wounded.
Palestinian officials say the victims had been trying to find refuge from the fighting outside, and that they were killed by Israeli tank shells.
But Israel says rockets launched by Hamas had landed in the area, and that those rockets may be responsible for the deaths.
The attack left pools of blood in the school courtyard, amid scattered books and belongings.
A Hamas spokesman accuses Israel of “committing massacres.” Israel says Hamas puts Palestinians in danger by hiding weapons and fighters in civilian areas.
There’s been heavy fighting today throughout Gaza. The violence continues amid international efforts to arrange a cease-fire. Hamas has reiterated its demand that Israel and Egypt lift the blockade of Gaza before there can be a cease-fire.
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163-r-22-(Sound of the injured arriving for treatment, at Shifa Hospital)–Sound of the victims from the U.N. school strike being rushed into the medical facility for treatment. (24 Jul 2014)
< 160-a-16-(Ihab (ee-HAHB’) Mohsen, spokesman, Hamas in Gaza, in AP interview)-“and many injuries”-Hamas spokesman Ihab Mohsen says the Palestinians were seeking shelter at the U.N. school as fierce clashes raged on the streets outside. (24 Jul 2014) < APPHOTO XAH110: Blood and belongings of displaced Palestinians are left after an Israeli air strike at a U.N. school in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, Thursday, July 24, 2014. Israeli tank shells hit the compound, killing more than a dozen people and wounding dozens more who were seeking shelter from fierce clashes on the streets outside, Palestinian officials said, as Israel pressed forward with its 17-day war against the territory’s Hamas rulers. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) (24 Jul 2014) < APPHOTO XAH107: Blood and and discarded belongings are left behind at a U.N. school in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, Thursday, July 24, 2014. Israeli tank shells hit the compound, killing more than a dozen people and wounding dozens more who were seeking shelter from fierce clashes on the streets outside, Palestinian officials said, as Israel pressed forward with its 17-day war against the territory’s Hamas rulers. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) (24 Jul 2014) < Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.