Blinken Urges Ceasefire Talks as Israeli Airstrike on Gaza School Claims 17 Lives

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on his trip to the Middle East, and he is urging for a ceasefire. During a talk from Qatar, he said that Israel had “effectively dismantled” Hamas and that talks for a cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages would resume soon. He added that the U.S. was working to restart negotiations, which had stalled earlier this year.

The time when US state secretary is urging for a ceasefire an Israeli airstrike happened on a school. This strike displaced families in central Gaza and killed at least 17 people on Thursday. According to the emerging reports and Palestinian medical officials mostly women and children were killed. 

The attack occurred in the Nuseirat refugee camp, where the Awda Hospital confirmed 42 others were wounded. The victims included 13 children under the age of 18 and three women.

The Israeli military claimed it targeted Hamas militants inside the school though no specific evidence was provided. This is not the first time that shelters have been hit by a strike, with Israel stating that it targets militants who operate among civilians. Unfortunately many of these strikes have resulted in the deaths of innocent people, including women and children.

Though Blinken also announced an additional $135 million in U.S. aid for Palestinians while urging Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Talks are expected to continue in the coming days and maybe it will stop with a ceasefire too.