Gaza official: 10 dead after strike near UN school

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A United Nations official says at least 10 people have been killed in Gaza at a U.N. school because of an apparent nearby Israeli airstrike.

The boys school, in Rafah, had been providing shelter for about 3,000 people attempting to escape the nearly monthlong war between Israel and Hamas militants. Witnesses say people were standing in line at the time.

The head of the U.N. relief agency in Gaza says preliminary reports indicate an Israeli airstrike cause the deaths. One of the dead is said to be a staff worker. About 35 people were injured, including children.

At least six U.N. facilities, including schools sheltering the displaced, have been struck by Israeli fire since the conflict began last, drawing international condemnation. In each case Israel has said it was responding to militants launching rockets or other attacks from nearby.

In nearly four weeks of fighting, more than 1,700 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed as well as nearly 70 Israelis, almost all soldiers.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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