On June 6, 2024, the Israeli military stated that on Thursday, June 6th, the Israeli Air Force targeted a school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, which was being used as a hiding place by Hamas militants.
According to reports from Reuters, the Israeli military mentioned that there was a Hamas base inside the targeted school, where 20 to 30 Hamas militants, including those involved in the attack against Israel on October 7th last year, were hiding.
Hamas media claimed that the airstrike resulted in at least 27 civilian casualties who had taken shelter in the school. However, this information has not been independently verified.
Prior to the attack, the Israeli military stated that measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including aerial reconnaissance and obtaining more intelligence.
Earlier, the Israeli military announced the implementation of military operations in central Gaza to eliminate Hamas militants who had ambushed and carried out bomb attacks against Israeli forces. The Israeli military also mentioned that the fighting would not stop during the ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh stated on Wednesday that any ceasefire agreement must be based on a comprehensive end to the war, complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the exchange of prisoners.
Last week, US President Biden proposed a ceasefire, calling for the release of Israeli hostages taken during the attack on October 7th last year by Hamas. The ceasefire proposal also included long-term ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Since a brief ceasefire in November last year, all mediation attempts advocating for a ceasefire have failed, but the US government continues to push for a new ceasefire agreement.
On Wednesday, CIA Director William Burns met with senior officials from Qatar and Egypt in Doha to discuss a new round of ceasefire proposals.
On the same day, armed militants from Hamas and Islamic extremist groups engaged in gun battles with the Israeli military in Gaza, launching anti-tank rockets and shells.
According to US officials, the number of Hamas militants has decreased from 20,000 to 25,000 before the conflict to 9,000 to 12,000 now. Israeli authorities reported that nearly 300 soldiers were lost in the Gaza conflict.
Hamas, ruling Gaza, initiated a terrorist attack against Israel on October 7th last year, triggering this war. According to Israeli government statistics, the attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 people being held hostage by Hamas.
Health officials in Gaza have reported that over 36,000 people have died in the Gaza conflict.