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Gaza school strike which killed 22 targeted one Hamas figure, BBC told

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Amal says she and other children in her shelter wake up and go to sleep terrified

Gaza school strike which killed 22 targeted one Hamas figure, BBC told

Warning: This story contains details which some people may find upsetting

An Israeli air strike that killed multiple children at a former school twelve days ago had been targeting one local Hamas figure, the BBC has been told.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a Hamas “command and control centre” had been embedded inside the compound in Gaza City, which it targeted in a “precise strike” on 21 September.

It killed 22 people, including 13 children and six women, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

The school, closed during the war, had been housing displaced people, the health ministry said.

One young girl, Amal, told the BBC she had been inside the school building when it was hit and saw bodies “torn apart”.

“What have we done as children? We wake up and go to sleep terrified,” she said.

Huda lost two of her children in the Israeli air strike on 21 September

“At least protect the schools; we don’t have schools or homes – where do we go?”

Sources have told the BBC that one of those killed was a local Hamas figure, meaning many civilians died due to a single main target.

Huda Alhadad lost two children – son Muhammad, 13, and daughter Hanan, 12.

“I was coming from the hallway when the missile fell. I came and found my husband screaming, saying, ‘My children, my children, my children,'” she told the BBC.

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“I asked him, ‘Where are they?’ I searched for them and found them under the rubble.”

Damage to the roof of the former school building in Gaza City

In the twelve days after the air strike, at least eight more fatal strikes took place in Gaza on school buildings housing displaced families – the latest in a series of attacks on such buildings, which provide little safety.

Unicef has said more than 50% of schools used as shelters in Gaza had been directly hit during the current war, with “devastating consequences for children and families”.

In each of the latest strikes, the IDF released public statements saying the former schools had contained Hamas terrorists or “command and control” centres.

In their public statement about the 21 September strike, the IDF incorrectly named the former school they hit – Al-Zeitoun C – instead identifying another one nearby, Al-Falah.

We confirmed that Al-Zeitoun C was the one that had been hit by speaking to local people, as well as comparing videos of the attack aftermath with satellite imagery.

The Hamas-run Gazan authorities also named it as Al-Zeitoun C.

The relevant area is in the Al-Zeitoun neighbourhood and includes four distinct schools: Al-Falah, and Al-Zeitoun A, B, and C.

When asked about incorrectly naming the school, the IDF refused to comment.

It would also not comment on who was targeted.

The Hamas-run government media office said the Israeli military had committed a “horrific massacre” by bombing Al-Zeitoun C school, which shelters displaced people. It said that, in addition to those killed, the attack also caused severe injuries, including nine children who needed limbs amputating.

Dr Amjad Eliwa, an emergency physician who treated those injured in the strike, described over 30 injuries reaching his hospital, saying they were “mostly among children and women, with cases of amputations and very severe injuries”.

He described one of those who died as a woman who was six months pregnant.

This was corroborated by images of a foetus at the site of the strike, and residents said the dead woman was Barah Deraawi, who died along with two young daughters, Israa and Iman.

Gaza school strike which killed 22 targeted one Hamas figure, BBC told

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Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

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Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

United States President Donald Trump sparked global attention at the closing stage of the G7 summit in France, after declaring “I’m the boss” as he arrived for a morning session attended by fellow world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron.

The remark was made as Trump entered the meeting room in Evian, a resort town on the shores of Lake Geneva, where leaders of the world’s major advanced economies gathered for three days of talks on global security, economic stability, and geopolitical tensions.

According to accounts from officials present, Trump made the comment while other leaders were already seated. The statement reportedly triggered laughter in the room, with Macron responding in a relaxed and conversational tone as the session continued.

“I’m the boss,” Trump said before taking his seat, after which proceedings moved on to scheduled discussions.

The G7 summit brought together leaders of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan, with key talks centered on trade relations, international conflicts, and energy security.

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Diplomatic sources said Trump remained a dominant presence throughout the summit, actively participating in discussions and supporting a joint communique at the conclusion of the meeting. His full attendance until the end was also noted as significant, contrasting with previous summits where he had departed early.

The gathering came at a politically sensitive moment, following heightened global tensions and recent international negotiations involving the United States. Trump’s presence added increased global attention to the summit’s outcome and policy direction.

At the close of the meeting, Macron extended a private invitation to Trump for a dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris. French officials clarified that the dinner was intended as a working engagement rather than a ceremonial gala, amid domestic political scrutiny over the optics of hosting the US president in such a setting.

Observers say the “I’m the boss” remark has become one of the most talked-about moments of the summit, reflecting Trump’s assertive communication style and continued influence on the global diplomatic stage.

The incident has since circulated widely across international media and social platforms, adding a viral moment to an otherwise formal gathering of world leaders.

Trump Declares “I’m the Boss” as G7 Summit Ends in France

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TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS

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BREAKING: Trump Cancels US Strikes on Iran at Last Minute

TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS

 

President Donald Trump on Monday announced that a landmark agreement between the United States and Iran has been finalized, declaring that the deal is “all signed” and that the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has already been partially reopened to maritime traffic.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Trump said the agreement would pave the way for the full reopening of the vital shipping route by the end of the week.

“The deal’s all signed. And the strait is already partially opened. On Friday, it’ll be completely open,” Trump stated.

The development marks a significant breakthrough in efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East following months of heightened security concerns and disruptions to international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints.

According to U.S. officials, the agreement, described as a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, was digitally signed on Sunday. Vice President JD Vance confirmed that both parties had completed the signing process ahead of a formal ceremony expected to take place in Geneva later this week.

While details of the accord have not yet been made public, reports indicate that the agreement includes measures to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, reduce military tensions in the region, and establish a framework for renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Trump said the full text of the agreement would be released following the formal signing ceremony.

The announcement was welcomed by global energy markets, with crude oil prices falling amid expectations that shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz would gradually return to normal levels.

However, security experts cautioned that a complete restoration of maritime operations could take time. Officials familiar with the situation noted that demining operations and security assessments remain ongoing, meaning full commercial traffic may not resume immediately despite the political agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the narrow channel, making its stability crucial to global energy security.

The agreement is expected to be closely scrutinized by lawmakers, regional allies, and international observers as further details emerge in the coming days.

 

TRUMP SAYS IRAN DEAL ‘ALL SIGNED’ AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ PARTIALLY REOPENS

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UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce one of the world’s toughest online safety measures, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming that children under the age of 16 will be banned from accessing major social media platforms.

The proposed legislation, expected to be presented to Parliament later this year, will prohibit under-16s from using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube, and X. The government says the move is aimed at protecting children from harmful content, online predators, cyberbullying, and addictive digital features that negatively impact mental health.

Announcing the policy on Monday, Starmer said social media platforms are increasingly “making children unhappy” and exposing them to content that is both dangerous and deliberately designed to keep young users engaged for extended periods.

According to the British government, the ban is expected to take effect in spring 2027 if approved by lawmakers. Officials say technology companies will be required to implement robust age-verification systems to prevent underage users from accessing restricted platforms.

While the restrictions will apply to most major social networking services, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal will remain exempt from the ban. Authorities argue that these services primarily facilitate direct communication rather than content-driven engagement.

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In addition to social media restrictions, the UK government plans to introduce tougher regulations for gaming services and livestreaming platforms that allow children to interact with strangers online. Starmer emphasized that children should not be exposed to unknown adults through digital platforms without adequate safeguards, indicating that further measures are being developed to limit such interactions. Officials have described the planned reforms as “world-leading,” with additional details expected to be unveiled in July.

The government is also considering a range of extra protections for young internet users. These include overnight social media curfews for minors, mandatory breaks from infinite scrolling features, and stricter default privacy settings for teenagers. Officials say the proposals are intended to reduce excessive screen time and minimize exposure to potentially harmful online content. The reforms follow a government-led consultation in which British teenagers tested social media bans and app time limits, helping shape the final policy framework.

Starmer acknowledged that the UK’s approach was partly inspired by Australia, which became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for under-16s. However, British officials insist that the UK’s proposals go further by extending restrictions to gaming platforms, livestreaming services, and potentially certain AI-powered companion chatbots that may pose risks to children.

The announcement has generated debate within the technology industry. A spokesperson for YouTube warned that a blanket ban could push children toward less-regulated online services, potentially creating new safety concerns. Other industry stakeholders have questioned how age-verification requirements will be enforced and whether teenagers will find ways to circumvent the restrictions.

Despite the criticism, the government remains committed to the policy, arguing that stronger intervention is necessary to protect children in an increasingly digital world. Supporters of the proposal say the ban could help tackle growing concerns about mental health issues, online addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content exposure among young people.

If approved, the legislation would position the UK among the global leaders in regulating children’s online activity and could influence similar policy discussions in other countries.

UK Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

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