At least 16 people were massacred in an Israeli assault on the Fatima Bint Asad School in northern Gaza. Among those slaughtered are women and children who were sleeping.

Dozens are other people were also injured. Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesperson, Mahmud Bassal, said that the school shelters more than 2,000 displaced people in the city of Jabalia. The Israeli massacre came hours after Hamas announced that it had struck a deal with the US.

The deal would see the release of the American-Israeli prisoner of war in Gaza, Edan Alexander. Head of Hamas in Gaza and the leader of the negotiating team, Dr Khalil Al Hayya, said that Alexander will be released as part of the steps taken towards a ceasefire, the opening of crossings, and the allowing of aid and relief to reach the people in Gaza.

Meanwhile it will need to be seen if the Israeli occupation adheres to the deal as the Zionist Prime Minister’s office has already said that they did not commit to a ceasefire in any way for Edan Alexander’s release but will allow what it calls a “safe corridor” for the move.