"It can be confirmed at this time that at least 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists were eliminated" in the strike on Al-Tabieen religious school, the military said in a statement, citing "an intelligence investigation" and giving the names of the alleged militants it said had been killed.

The military said the militants were operating from a Hamas command and control centre located in the compound in order to plan attacks against Israel and its security forces.

"The strike was carried out using three precise munitions," it said, adding that "no severe damage was caused to the compound where the terrorists were situated".