Israeli air strikes on a Gaza hospital compound on Tuesday, October 17, killed at least 500 people, according to the Health Ministry in the Palestinian territory. Hundreds of people were seeking shelter at the al-Ahli Hospital in central Gaza at the time of the blast.
"Two hundred to 300 displaced people killed in occupation (Israeli) strikes on the yard" of the al-Ahli Arab hospital in central Gaza, the ministry said. "Hundreds of victims are still under the rubble," it added.
Photos from al-Ahli Hospital showed fire engulfing the hospital halls, shattered glass and body parts scattered across the area. If confirmed, the attack would be by far the deadliest Israeli airstrike in five wars fought since 2008, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
The media office of Gaza's Hamas government described the attack as a "war crime." "The hospital was housing hundreds of sick and wounded, and people forcibly displaced from their homes" because of other strikes, a statement said.
At least six people were killed earlier on Tuesday when a UN-run Gaza school they were sheltering in was hit during Israeli air strikes, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said.
"At least six people were killed this afternoon when an UNRWA school was hit in Al-Maghazi refugee camp", in central Gaza, the UN agency said. "The school was hit during Israeli forces air strikes and bombardment on the Gaza Strip," it said.
Dozens of people, including UNRWA staff, were wounded and the school suffered severe structural damage, it said, adding the number of casualties was expected to rise.
"At least 4,000 people have taken refuge in this UNRWA school turned shelter. They had and still have nowhere else to go," the agency said. "This is outrageous, and it again shows a flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians," it added.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either incident when contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Around 3,000 Gazans have been killed in Israeli strikes since the country's military started bombarding the Palestinian territory on October 7.