A Devastating Strike: School Shelter Hit in Gaza

In the central Gaza Strip, an Israeli strike on a school serving as a shelter for displaced people left at least 17 people dead on Thursday. Most of the victims were women and children, medical officials confirmed. This attack occurred as U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that talks for a cease-fire would resume soon. He mentioned that Israel had succeeded in weakening Hamas, the group responsible for the hostilities. The strike in the crowded Nuseirat refugee camp wounded 42 more people, with 13 children and three women among the dead. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hamas militants inside the school, a tactic they often use, leading to the deaths of many civilians.Blinken, speaking from Qatar, said negotiations would restart in the coming days, but he underscored the need for Hamas to be ready to engage. The U. S. hopes to rekindle peace talks after the recent killing of top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Despite months of negotiations, neither side has shown signs of compromise. Blinken also pledged an additional $135 million in U. S. aid for the Palestinians. Meanwhile, the situation in northern Gaza is dire, with hospitals desperately short on supplies and medical staff. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiyeh, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, warned that they are losing patients due to lack of equipment and support. First responders in the north have stopped their operations after Israeli forces fired on them. The Civil Defense team said they suspended operations after three members were wounded and others detained. This hasn't been officially confirmed by the Israeli military. The war started when Hamas militants entered southern Israel in October 2023, killing over 1, 200 people and taking 250 hostages. Israel's retaliatory offensive has resulted in over 42, 000 Palestinian deaths, many of them women and children. The war has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, and cease-fire talks have stalled since the summer.