Earlier today, Israel attacked the Gaza City headquarters of UNRWA, the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency. On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on an UNRWA school killed at least 16 Palestinians and injured 50 others. Eyewitnesses said the dead included many children.
Ayman al-Atouneh: “We came here running to see the targeted area. We saw bodies of children, in pieces. This is a playground. There was a trampoline here. There were swing sets and vendors. Civilians were killed. It’s a civilian school. These are United Nations schools, for the UNRWA. It is supposed to be safe for people and should not be targeted anytime.”
On the diplomatic front, Hamas officials have reportedly agreed to a U.S. proposal to begin talks on a new ceasefire and hostage deal. Multiple news outlets report Hamas has dropped its demand that Israel first agree to a permanent ceasefire before any agreement is signed. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has warned Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon will continue even if a truce agreement is reached in Gaza.