Hamas has rejected Israel’s claim that the resistance movement’s fighters were present in a UN-run school in the Gaza Strip that was targeted by the Israeli army.

At least 16 people were killed and dozens of others were injured in an Israeli air strike on the building that was sheltering thousands of displaced people at Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Israel claimed its aircraft targeted Hamas fighters operating around the Al-Jawni school in Nuseirat.

“The claim of the occupation army of the presence of members of the resistance in the UNRWA al-Jaouni school is a lie and misleading,” Hamas said in a statement.

The resistance movement added, “The occupation is trying through allegations to pass and market its crimes to public opinion and hide its clear goals that it seeks to implement by exterminating our people.”