Sat Jan 11 20:56:06 UTC 2025: ## Gaza School Attack Kills Eight Amidst Ceasefire Talks

**GAZA CITY, PALESTINE** – An Israeli airstrike on a school in Jabalia, northern Gaza, sheltering displaced Palestinians, killed at least eight civilians, including two children, on Saturday. This attack, which occurred as Israel dispatched a high-level delegation to Qatar to “advance” ceasefire negotiations, has drawn international condemnation.

The Israeli military targeted the Zainab al-Wazir school, causing significant casualties and widespread devastation. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and desperation as families searched for survivors amidst the rubble. Al Jazeera reported “bloody” and “dire” conditions at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, overwhelmed by the injured and facing severe medical supply shortages due to the ongoing Israeli siege.

Saturday also saw multiple other Israeli strikes across Gaza, resulting in additional civilian deaths. A house in Gaza City and a tent sheltering displaced families were among the targets. The death toll from these attacks alone reached at least 13, bringing the total number of Palestinian fatalities for the day to at least 21. The ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 46,537 Palestinian deaths since October 7th, 2023 according to Palestinian health authorities.

Despite the escalating violence, Israel sent a high-level delegation, including the head of the Mossad, to Qatar to participate in ceasefire talks facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. The move followed a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. While families of Israeli captives welcomed the delegation’s dispatch, the ongoing attacks cast a shadow over the negotiations.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with Palestinians facing not only relentless airstrikes but also severe food shortages exacerbated by the Israeli siege. Reports indicate widespread malnutrition, further endangering the lives of civilians, particularly children. Amnesty International Denmark has gone so far as to accuse Israel of committing genocide.

The conflicting reports of intensified attacks and high-level ceasefire talks highlight the complexities and fragility of the situation. The international community continues to pressure all parties involved to reach a lasting peace agreement and end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

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