Over 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza flee to UNRWA schools amid Israeli strikes: Official

By Nour Abu Eisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said Sunday that thousands of Palestinians have fled to its schools across the Gaza Strip following Israeli attacks.

"Nearly 20,300 Palestinians have so far fled to UNRWA schools," UNRWA media advisor Adnan Abu Hasna told Anadolu.

He said the displaced Palestinians are currently in 44 UNRWA schools across Gaza, adding that more Palestinians are expected to seek refuge in UNRWA schools amid intensified Israeli airstrikes.

On Saturday, Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, saying the surprise attack on Israel was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

At least 700 Israelis have been killed and over 2,300 others wounded in the attack, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

In retaliation, the Israeli army initiated Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas with a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, killing more than 430 Palestinians and wounding at least 2,300 others.

Fighting continued into its second day on Sunday and Israel declared a state of war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to use all of Israel’s strength to destroy Hamas’ capabilities and “take revenge for this black day.”

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar