Palestinians: 25 killed in IDF strikes in Gaza

Palestinians in Gaza said at least 25 people were killed in a number of IDF attacks in the Hamas-controlled territory early Tuesday. These attacks come as part of the IDF offensive Operation Cast Lead.  

An IDF attack in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza, and the al-Bureij refugee camp killed 10 Palestinians, medical workers said, adding that among the victims in the camp were a father and his three children.

The IDF has yet to confirm the report.  

Some witnesses said Israeli ships had fired shells towards a beach in the area, while others said it was Israeli tanks that carried out the attack. The witnesses said four of those killed in the attack were Hamas gunmen, and the rest were members of Islamic Jihad. Palestinians also reported of ongoing artillery fire in the area.

Sources said an IDF strike leveled a four-storey structure in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood which housed dozens of members of the same family. Rescue teams were searching for more bodies and survivors under the rubble. During the evacuation of the injured, a second structure was hit in the neighborhood. Palestinian sources said at least nine people were killed in the attacks.   

Three more Palestinians were killed in an IDF strike on a building in the city of Jabalya, located four kilometers (about 2.5 miles) north of Gaza City.

Palestinians reported of continued IDF aerial strikes on various targets in Gaza.

One of these strikes killed three Palestinians students at a United Nations school, medical workers and UN officials said.

Hundreds of Palestinians sought refuge at the school after fleeing fierce fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters in the northern Gaza Strip, the officials said.

Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief John Holmes told reporters in New York on Monday that UN officials believe at least 500 Palestinians have been killed since the IDF launched Operation Cast Lead in Gaza and that as many as 25 percent are civilians.