Israel-Gaza war: Kamala Harris condemns civilian deaths in school strike

Speaking at a campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona, Ms Harris said Israel had a right to “go after Hamas” but also has “an important responsibility” to avoid civilian casualties.

The Democratic Party’s presidential candidate also reiterated calls for a ceasefire and a hostage deal.

Saturday’s air strike has been criticised by Western and regional powers, with Egypt saying it showed Israel had no desire to reach a ceasefire or end the Gaza war.

Fadl Naeem, head of al-Ahli Hospital where many of the casualties were taken, said around 70 victims had been identified so far – with the remains of many others so badly disfigured that identification was difficult.

Israel’s military said it had “precisely struck Hamas terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control centre embedded in the al-Taba’een school”.

A statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency said “at least 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists” were “eliminated” in the attack.

IDF spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said “various intelligence indications” suggest a “high probability” that the commander of Islamic Jihad’s Central Camps Brigade, Ashraf Juda, was at the Taba’een school when it was struck.

He said it is not yet clear whether the commander was killed in the attack.

Earlier estimates of the number of dead were also in the dozens, with the Hamas-run health ministry’s ambulance service saying more than 60 had been killed, according to AP. The civil defence agency put the number at more than 90.

The BBC cannot independently verify figures from either side.

The Israeli spokesman said the casualty figures released by Hamas officials “do not align with the information held by the IDF, the precise munitions used, and the accuracy of the strike”.

Hamas described the attack as a “horrific crime and a dangerous escalation” in Israel’s “war of extermination against the Palestinian people”.

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said Hamas had been using schools “as locations to gather and operate out of”.

“But we have also said repeatedly and consistently that Israel must take measures to minimise civilian harm,” he added.