At least 17 people were killed in the latest Israeli attack on a school in central Gaza, according to local hospital sources reported by the agencies France-Presse and Reuters.

Al-Awda Hospital reported that Al-Shuhada School in the Nuseirat refugee camp was hit on Thursday, October 24th.

Hamas’ government media office confirmed the same casualty figures, adding that the school was being used as a temporary shelter for displaced persons.

In recent weeks, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have hit several buildings being used as shelters across Gaza, claiming to target Hamas personnel and infrastructure.

The Israeli military has intensified a multi-week offensive in northern Gaza, targeting, it says, Hamas fighters who have regrouped there.

At least 650 people have been killed since the beginning of the new offensive in the north, according to the Hamas-led health ministry.

The Israeli military stated it is facilitating civilian evacuations while continuing to “fight terrorists and their infrastructure.”

However, residents who are unwilling or unable to comply with Israeli evacuation orders report living in increasingly desperate conditions with dwindling food and other basic supplies.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that during the first three weeks of October, Israeli authorities allowed only four of 70 humanitarian missions to help northern Gaza.

The United States has warned Israel to urgently increase aid or risk losing some military support.

Cogat, the Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian affairs in Gaza, reported that trucks carrying food, water, and medical supplies reached the north in the past week.