MORE than 30 people — mostly children — were killed by an Israeli strike on a UN school sheltering displaced Palestinians today.

Israel defended the latest bloodshed among Palestinians seeking refuge by claiming that Hamas was operating from within the UN refugee agency (UNRWA) school in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza.

It did not provide evidence for its claims, as is usually the case with such attacks.

A CNN analysis indicated that the weapons used in the pre-dawn attack were US-made.

It is not the first time that air-strikes have targeted the school.

The attack followed Israel’s announcement on Wednesday of a new military campaign in central Gaza, saying that there would be no pause in fights amid ceasefire talks.

Campaigners, politicians and charities have urged Britain to take action on the situation in Gaza following silence from Tory and Labour leaders engulfed in their general election campaigns.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign director Ben Jamal said that the attack is “another horrifying chapter in Israel’s genocide.”

He told the Star: “Israel has no regard for Palestinian life and destroys it indiscriminately.

“What we must ask here in the UK is what will it take for our political leaders to take effective action in support of international law?

“Will the arms trade with Israel be ended? Will Israel be cut off financially and diplomatically?

“So far in the general election we have had platitudes from the main parties, but what we require are policy commitments to show the UK will meet its obligations under international law.”

Mr Jamal said campaigners will continue to hold politicians to account — both through the national demonstration in London tomorrow and through the course of the general election.

Peace and Justice Project founder Jeremy Corbyn, who is defending his Islington North seat as an independent MP, said he is “appalled by the ongoing loss of life,” telling the Star: “Another day, another war crime.

“What kind of world are we living in when this kind of horror becomes part of our weekly or even daily routine?

“How have we allowed these atrocities to become so normalised?

“A school is a place of learning, growth and joy. In Gaza, they have been turned into a place of death, trauma and grief.”

Mr Corbyn vowed to continue to speak up for a ceasefire, the end to arms sales to Israel and “the only path to a just and lasting peace: the end to the occupation of Palestine.”

Brendan O’Hara, SNP MP and candidate for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber, called the strike “the latest horrific attack resulting in the pointless death of yet more innocent civilians.”

He said: “The SNP has been Westminster’s moral compass throughout the conflict in Gaza — while the Tories and Labour have failed to add their voice to international efforts to end bloodshed and save innocent lives.”

The party has called for the release of hostages, an end to arms sales, an immediate ceasefire and the recognition of a Palestinian state “to ensure a lasting peace.”

Charity Islamic Relief said that international governments and world leaders “must use all their influence and leverage to demand an end to these attacks and an immediate ceasefire,” it said in a statement.

Outside of Britain, Ireland’s Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the attack is “further horrifying proof that nowhere is safe in Gaza.”

Ms McDonald reiterated her call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the slaughter, and called on the government to lead an urgent push for sanctions against Israel.

“Israel must be held to account for its war crimes and brutalisation of the Palestinian people,” she said.

“Recognising the state of Palestine was an important step. The Irish government must now lead in the push for sanctions that increase pressure for a ceasefire and an end to the slaughter.”

The US-based Institute for Middle East Understanding said the strike was “deliberate” and one that US President Joe Biden “could have stopped.”

It said: “Nowhere is safe [in Gaza] because Israel bombs and destroys the places it forces Palestinians to flee to for shelter.

“Enough, Potus. To end this genocide, end US weapons to Israel.”

The International Centre for Justice for Palestinians said that “time and time again, Israel shows its willingness to target schools, refugee camps and UN agencies.”

And Belgian foreign minister Hadja Lahbib said that the “devastating” air-strike “is an appalling and unacceptable act of violence.”

Ayman Rashed, a man displaced from Gaza City who was sheltering at the al-Sardi School, said the missiles hit classrooms on the second and third floors where families were sheltering.

He said he helped carry out five dead, including an old man and two children, one with his head shattered open.

“It was dark, with no electricity, and we struggled to get out the victims,” Mr Rashed said.

UNRWA commissioner-general Phillippe Lazzarini said that 6,000 people were sheltering in the school when it was hit without prior warning.

He said the body was unable to verify claims that armed groups were inside.

Dead and wounded people were taken to the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital, which has been overwhelmed by the eight-month-long attack.

The hospital recorded at least 33 people dead, including 14 children and nine women.

Footage showed bodies wrapped in blankets or plastic bags being laid out in lines in the courtyard of the hospital.

Mohammed al-Kareem, a displaced Palestinian sheltering near the hospital, said he saw people searching for their loved ones among bodies, and that one woman kept asking medical workers to open the wraps on the bodies to see if her son was inside.