Israel says strikes on two schools targeted Hamas militants

CAIRO An Israeli air strike hit two schools in Gaza City on Aug 4, killing at least 25 people, the Palestinian official news agency said, while the Israeli military said it struck a Hamas military compound embedded in the schools.

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Earlier in the day, an Israeli air strike hit a tent camp inside a hospital in central Gaza. Gaza health officials said at least 44 Palestinians were killed on Aug 4, the day after a round of talks in Cairo on a possible ceasefire ended without a result.

The Palestinian official news agency and Hamas media said dozens were wounded in addition to the 25 fatalities in the schools of Hassan Salama and AlNasser, which housed displaced Palestinian families. They said the strike destroyed several structures inside the facilities.

The Israeli military said it struck militants inside a Hamas command embedded within the schools, accusing Hamas of operating from within civilian property. Hamas denies using civilian institutions for military purposes.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli strike inside the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound started a fire, killing five people and wounding at least 18, medical authorities said.

The Israeli military said it struck a militant who "conducted terror activities" and that secondary explosions were identified, indicating weapons were present in the area.