IDF strikes Gaza school sheltering displaced Palestinians
At least 12 people have been killed in another strike on a school in the Gaza Strip where displaced people were sheltering, the Gaza Civil Defense said Tuesday.
The Mustafa Khaft school in western Gaza City was hit by the Israeli air force, Israel confirmed in a statement, alleging that Hamas was using the facility as a command center.
![PHOTO: Palestinians carry children as they flee after an Israeli strike on a school, housing displaced Palestinians, in the Rimal neighborhood of central Gaza City on Aug. 20, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant Hamas group.](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/e624e04c-4f59-46a6-bd29-164a0820e4f0/gaza-school-mo_1724158600756_hpEmbed_3x2.jpg)
"The command and control center was embedded and hidden by the Hamas terrorist organization inside," the IDF statement said. "Hamas terrorists used the command and control center to plan and execute attacks against IDF troops and the state of Israel."
The IDF said it took "numerous steps" to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, "including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance and additional intelligence."
A number of people are still missing after the strike, according to the Gaza Civil Defense. Around 700 people were sheltering in the school, according to Palestinian officials.
![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/0e8dfd21-b6f7-4e22-a7cf-351d5b7844ba/israel-gaza-2-rt-gmh-240820_1724164518814_hpMain.jpg)
Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted Gaza schools -- some of which are doubling as shelters for people displaced by the fierce fighting -- they say are being used as Hamas military hubs and weapon storage sites.
Earlier this month, the U.N. Human Rights Office accused Israel of "systematic attacks" on schools following a strike on the Al Tabae'en School in Gaza City.
-ABC News' Sami Zayara and Joe Simonetti