Israeli forces carry out horrific massacre near Islamic University in western Gaza

In what witnesses described as a new massacre, Israeli forces struck the area around the Islamic University west of Gaza City this evening, bombing the university building three times in quick succession.

According to eyewitnesses, the first and second strikes prompted dozens of displaced people to leave the area temporarily, but some returned to try to retrieve what remained of their personal belongings, only to be hit by a third strike in which the forces used high-explosive munitions that directly targeted the building.

So far, dozens are reported dead or missing, and rescue teams have been unable to recover victims because of intense shelling and the danger of the site.

The attack is among the most severe to hit civilian and academic facilities, part of a systematic campaign of destruction that has affected Gaza City for weeks.