Kamala Harris: Israel Has A Responsibility To Avoid Victims From Civilians

Kamala Harris. (Twitter/@VP)

JAKARTA - US Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the death toll of civilians in an Israeli airstrike at a school building in Gaza on Saturday, August 10.

"More than 70 people died in buildings housing displaced Palestinians," a hospital director told the BBC.

Harris said too many civilians were killed and once again he confirmed calls for a ceasefire. The call for a ceasefire echoed around the White House.

Harris said at his campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona, Israel had the right to "chasing Hamas" but also had "important responsibility" to avoid civilian casualties.

Israel's airstrikes on al-Taba'een schools in Gaza have been heavily criticized by Western and regional powers. Egypt believes Israel has no desire to make a ceasefire or end the war in Gaza.

Fadl Naeem, head of al-Ahli Hospital where many victims were treated, said about 70 victims were identified hours after the attack - with many other bodies severely damaged, making identification difficult.

An Israeli spokesman said the number of casualties released by Hamas officials was "incompatible with the information held by the IDF, the ammunition used, and the accuracy of the attack".

Hamas described the attack as "terrible crimes and dangerous escalation" in "Israel's extermination war against the Palestinian people".