Palestinian officials say at least 15 people were killed and more than 100 others injured following an Israeli attack on a school being used as a shelter in Gaza.
CNN explains the makeshift shelter was operated by the United Nations and was filled with hundreds of people fleeing heavy fighting in the area.
"Now, we don't know why the school was hit. We are waiting for a response from the Israeli military, so it's unclear." (Via Fox News)
So far, Israel Defense Forces have only said rockets had been launched by militants from the area near that shelter — essentially suggesting Hamas had provoked a response from Israel.
In fact a tweet from the IDF earlier Thursday repeated an Israeli criticism of Hamas — that the group "deliberately endangers ... civilians."
A spokesperson for that U.N. branch tweeted that the refugee agency attempted to coordinate with Israel an evacuation for the civilians in the school but that the request was never granted.
And in an interview with Al Jazeera another U.N. rep said the agency gave the Israelis the location of the shelter in the hopes of safeguarding the civilians hiding there. He added — the agency didn't get any warnings before the shelling.
The artillery strike marks at least the third time a facility belonging to the U.N. refugee agency has been hit during fighting since Israel launched its ground operation in Gaza July 8. (Via Getty Images)
Prior to this, the U.N. had launched an investigation into war crimes, with both sides standing accused.
"At least 718 Palestinians have died. The U.N. says at least 75 percent were civilians. But Israel says it is targeting militants, accusing Hamas of using civilians as human shields." (Via ABC)
Israel has lost at least 32 soldiers since launching its ground offensive. The country's defense officials have yet to release a statement on the latest strike.
