inflated numbers – The Time

While international diplomacy is trying in every way to promote a ceasefire agreement, fighting continues in Gaza. The authorities in the Strip denounce an attack by Israeli forces on a school that caused “about a hundred” victims, including “eleven children and six women”. The IDF does not deny the military operation, explaining that the structure, the al-Tabin school, was a command center for Islamic Jihad and Hamas militants. The Israeli army speaks of a death toll “inflated” by the Palestinian organization. For the IDF, in the attack, carried out “with accuracy”, “20 agents of the terrorist group” were killed. Hamas speaks of a “serious escalation” and of “apologies” by the Israelis “for targeting civilians, schools, hospitals and refugee tents” calling on the international community to “act firmly to stop the massacres”.

Concerns about the consequences of the incident are almost unanimous. Egypt, a key mediator in the Middle East crisis, says that Israel “has no intention” of reaching a ceasefire agreement, while Qatar, another nation very active in seeking a truce, is calling for an international investigation. The EU, through its High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell, also says it is “horrified” by what happened, stating that “there is no justification for these massacres.” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani calls the bombing “absolutely unacceptable,” calling on Israel to “respect humanitarian law.”

Meanwhile, the death toll in the Strip is approaching 40,000. Among the countries that have strongly condemned the raid is Russia, which has urged “the Israeli side to refrain from attacks against civilian targets that cannot be justified” and “undermine the efforts of the international community.” The arrival of Mahmoud Abbas is expected in Moscow. The president of the PA is expected to arrive in Russia on Monday and meet with President Vladimir Putin the following day. Finally, another warning to Israel comes from Iran. The Pasdaran say they are “ready” to “carry out the order” of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to “severely punish” the Jewish state after the assassination in Tehran of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.