GazaCity (AP) - Palestinian medical officials say the death toll from an Israeli airstrike near a United Nations school in the Gaza Strip has risen to 30.
The attack occurred outside the school in northern Gaza. It was the second deadly Israeli attack on a U.N. school in the past few hours.
Hospital director Bassam Abu Warda confirmed the 30 deaths from the second airstrike.
In both cases, the schools had been used as shelters for people displaced by Israel's offensive against Hamas militants. More than 500 people have been killed in the 11-day operation, including many civilians.
A top U.N. humanitarian official has condemned the violence and demanded an investigation.
Israel isn't commenting. But it accuses Hamas of using schools, mosques and residential areas for cover.
More than 500 people have been killed in the 11-day operation, including dozens of civilians.
In other developments, State Department officials say Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is traveling to New York Tuesday to meet with Arab ministers and lobby for a U.S.-backed cease-fire plan for Gaza.
Rice is also expected to represent the Bush administration during a U.N. Security Council meeting on efforts to bring an end to the Israeli army's occupation of the Gaza strip and the deluge of missiles launched by Hamas at Israeli towns.
According to State officials, Rice will meet with several foreign ministers from Arab states to push a three-pronged U.S. strategy to curb rocket attacks, halt the fighting and secure border crossings.