Israel has denied it was their guns or airstrikes that killed the 16 Palestinians in a U.N. school in Gaza last week, Daily News reported.

Like Us on Facebook

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an Israeli military spokesman provided on Sunday a 10-second video footage of an Israeli drone blasting in what appeared to be an empty courtyard. It backed his claim that it is highly unlikely anyone was killed from their attacks, according to the New York Times.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu blamed the civilian deaths on Hamas.

"We tell the civilians 'leave,' Hamas tells them to stay. It wants to pile up these civilian casualties," Netanyahu said. "Therefore it should be blamed and not Israel. That's a simple truth and moral clarity that should not be lost."

At around 2:50 p.m. Thursday, one mortar landed in the schoolyard while families crowded in it. Several more mortars followed hitting the top floors of the school building. While the survivors waited to be treated in a local hospital, another shell exploded about 50 meters away.

U.S. President Barack Obama expressed his concerns on Sunday about the rising number of deaths and insisted that Israel and Hamas come to an "immediate humanitarian truce." The Obama administration continued to publicly support Israel and Netanhayu appealed to the U.S. leaders to remain.

The Gaza conflict has left at least 797 Palestinians dead and 5,130 wounded, mostly women and children, since it first started on July 8, according to the Guardian.

Hamas responded to the United Nations' request for a long term cease-fire by calling a 24-hour moratorium in time with the observance of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. 

TagsIsrael, Gaza, killing, Palestine, Gaza Strip