ISRAEL, AUG 10 :  The Israel Defense Forces defended a deadly strike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City on Saturday, saying at least 20 Palestinian militants, including senior commanders, were hiding inside at the time of bombing.

“Based on Israeli intelligence, approx. 20 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, including senior commanders, were operating from the compound struck at the Al-Tabaeen school, using it to carry out terrorist attacks,” IDF spokesman Nadav Shoshani said on social media.

The UN Human Rights Office said Israel struck the packed school at least three times during dawn prayer on Saturday, with an initial report of at least 93 Palestinians killed, including 11 children and six women. Dozens of others were reported to be seriously injured, with the majority being children, women and the elderly.

The United Nations estimates that Israel has launched at least 21 strikes on schools sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza since July 4, killing at least 274 people. The Israeli military justified most of the attacks saying the schools were used by Palestinian armed groups.(UNI)