Israel’s Gaza school attack used US bomb, media say | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

US media say Israel’s military used at least one American-made precision bomb in their recent deadly attacks on schools in Gaza run by the United Nations.

Israeli forces said airstrikes hit a school compound in northern Gaza on Friday, following the bombing of another Thursday. They claimed the Friday assault eliminated “Hamas terrorists” that had carried out attacks from the school. But local Palestinian media said the facility was used as a shelter and the attack left at least three people dead and 15 wounded.

Israeli forces said Thursday’s strike also killed multiple Hamas militants. Health authorities in the enclave said the attack left 40 people dead, including women and children.

US media outlets have reported that at least one US-made precision bomb is thought to have been used in Thursday’s attack, citing an expert’s analysis of video taken at the scene.

The New York Times reported that US officials have been encouraging the Israeli military for months to replace larger munitions with the smaller more precise ones. The newspaper quoted a US military expert saying, “While they are using smaller bombs, they’re still deliberately targeting where they know there are civilians.”

Health authorities in Gaza said on Friday that the death toll in the enclave since the start of the conflict had climbed to 36,731. Criticism of the United States may increase as military assistance for Israel continues.

The US Department of State announced on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel and some other countries from Monday through Wednesday.

The countries include Egypt and Qatar, which have mediated between Israel and Hamas.