Israeli strike on Gaza University kills three, seven more Palestinians die in separate attacks

An Israeli drone strike on the Islamic University in Gaza City killed three people on Sunday while four more Palestinians were reportedly killed in separate attacks across the Gaza Strip according to local hospital staff and civil defence officials.

An Israeli drone strike on the Islamic University in Gaza City killed three people on Sunday while four more Palestinians were reportedly killed in separate attacks across the Gaza Strip according to local hospital staff and civil defence officials.

Al Shifa Hospital said it had received the bodies of three victims following the strike and treated eight people who sustained injuries. Sources at the Islamic University identified those killed as administrative staff members. They added that students were among the injured with classes reportedly taking place when the attack occurred.

Gaza’s Education Ministry strongly condemned the strike warning that continued attacks were causing extensive damage to the territory’s educational institutions. According to the ministry approximately 95 per cent of buildings belonging to academic institutions have been damaged during the ongoing conflict.

The ministry also said that 10 students and educators had been killed by Israeli fire during the previous six days. It criticised the international community for failing to respond effectively to attacks on educational facilities arguing that the lack of action was contributing to the continuation of such incidents.

The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports when contacted for comment.

Meanwhile Gaza Civil Defence spokesman Mahmoud Bassal reported four additional deaths in separate incidents on Sunday. Two people were killed in an airstrike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza while another person died in Deir al-Balah in the central part of the territory. A fourth victim was reported in northern Gaza.

The latest casualties come despite a ceasefire that has been in effect in Gaza for more than a year. However the truce has not completely stopped Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across the territory. At least four Palestinians were also reported killed in Israeli attacks on Thursday earlier in the week.

According to Gaza health officials, at least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since the ceasefire began. Israel meanwhile has reported the deaths of four of its soldiers during the same period.

Palestinian authorities estimate that more than 74,000 people have been killed in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The continued attacks have raised further concerns over civilian safety and the extensive damage to essential infrastructure including educational institutions.