Israeli attack on UN school in Gaza kills 13

About 13 people have been killed and 200 have been injured in an Israeli attack on a UN-run school in Gaza which was being used as a shelter by Palestinians.

According to the BBC, the school, located in the north-east city of Beit Hanoun, was sheltering several Palestinian families since Israel launched an offensive against Hamas on July 8.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he regretted the death of the civilians but blamed it on Hamas.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal, on the other hand, has stated that no ceasefire agreement with Israel can be acceptable unless Israel lifts the eight-year-old economic blockade on the Gaza strip. He alleged that the restriction imposed by the nation has converted Gaza into the largest prison of the world which restricts people from going across the border for work or treatment.

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said that he was appalled at the attack and called for the killing to stop right away.

The last 16 days of fighting has already seen 797 Palestinians and 33 Israelis dead, officials said.

According to a UN estimate, more than 118,000 people are now seeking shelter in UN-run schools and people are running out of food.