Gaza eyewitness: The children, don't let them kill the children

"The children, don’t let them kill the children," she shouted as she ran out into the playground.

Faiza al-Tanboura had not spoken for 21 days since a missile strike destroyed her home but she suddenly found her voice again as Israeli tanks opened fire of a UN school in Jabaliya, Gaza.

I strongly condemn today's Israeli shelling of a UNRWA school in Jabaliya. There are no words to adequately express my anger and indignation

• Pierre Krahenbuhl, Commissioner-General of UN Relief and Works Agency

The Israeli authorities were told a staggering 17 times that the school was full of refugees - the last warning message delivered at 8.50pm on Tuesday.

Seven-and-a-half hours later, the shelling began, destroying two of the classrooms, killing 19 and injuring more than one hundred others.

The attack has subsequently been described as a possible war crime by the UN.

Israeli army officials dismissed the accusations and said militants had been firing mortar rounds near the school and troops had returned fire.