(JNS.org) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of preventing civilians from evacuating a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) shelter in the northern Gaza city of Beit Hanoun, where at least 16 people were killed and more than 200 were injured in an apparent strike on the compound last week. “Hamas prevented civilians from evacuating the area during the window that the IDF gave them,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said. The IDF said Hamas fired from Beit Hanoun and that soldiers responded by targeting the source of the fire.

UNRWA spokesman Chris Guiness initially tweeted that Israel was responsible, tweeting “UNRWA school sheltering displaced in #Gaza takes a direct hit from Israeli fire, 5 injured RT.” But several hours later, Guiness retracted his statement, tweeting, “When I have double checked and confirmed information about reports of the UNRWA school in Beit Hanoun #Gaza I will tweet.”