The US is "deeply concerned" about the deadly Israeli attack on Gaza

The White House has said it is "deeply concerned" about an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City on Saturday, which civil defense officials said killed about 100 people.

The attack has been condemned by many Arab countries, Turkey, Britain and the chief diplomat of the European Union, Josep Borrell.

Thousands of Palestinians displaced from their homes have taken shelter in the school.

Gaza's Civil Emergency Service, which has reliable data on the number of victims, said that around 100 people were killed as a result of Saturday's attack.

Israel has said that about 20 Hamas militants have been operating in that facility.

Hamas, the Palestinian group that rules Gaza, has been declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

In some videos published on social networks, mutilated bodies were seen under the rubble.

"Once again, many civilians killed", said the American vice president, Kamala Harris, at the same time a Democratic candidate in the presidential race, as she called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"We are deeply concerned about reports of civilian casualties in Gaza following an Israeli Defense Forces attack on a facility that housed a school," the White House said in a statement, adding that Washington is in contact with Israel about get more information.

Washington has faced growing criticism, including from human rights groups, of military support for Israel.

Saturday's airstrike came after a US State Department spokesman said the US would allocate $3.5 billion to Israel to spend on US weapons and military equipment.

"We know that Hamas has used schools as locations to gather and operate, but we have repeatedly said that Israel must take measures to minimize harm to civilians," the White House said.

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have taken shelter in Gaza's schools, most of which have been closed since the start of the now 10-month war.

Saturday's Israeli attack is the deadliest in the Gaza war, which has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian health authorities.

The war was sparked by attacks by Hamas militants in Israel on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages.

The American president, Joe Biden, presented a proposal for a ceasefire, based on three phases.

Washington and regional mediators have been trying since then to reach a ceasefire, but the escalation of the situation has sometimes hindered the efforts./ REL