By WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY (Associated Press)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli strike early Thursday on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza killed more than 30 people, including 23 women and children, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said that Hamas was operating from within the school.

It was the latest instance of mass casualties among Palestinians trying to find refuge as Israel expands its offensive. A day earlier, the military announced a new ground and air assault in central Gaza, pursuing Hamas fighters it says have regrouped there. Troops repeatedly have swept back into parts of the Gaza Strip they have previously invaded, underscoring the resilience of the group despite Israel’s nearly eight-month onslaught.

Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

Palestinians look at the aftermath of the Israeli strike on a U.N.-run school that killed dozens of people in the Nusseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ismael Abu Dayyah)

Witnesses and hospital officials said the predawn strike hit the al-Sardi School, run by the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees known by the acronym UNRWA. The school was filled with Palestinians who had fled Israeli operations and bombardment in northern Gaza, they said.

Ayman Rashed, a man displaced from Gaza City who was sheltering at the school, said the missiles hit classrooms on the second and third floor 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,” Rashed said.

Casualties from the school strike arrived at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in nearby Deir al-Balah, which had already been overwhelmed by a stream of constant ambulances since the central Gaza incursion began 24 hours earlier, said Omar al-Derawi, a photographer working for the hospital.

Palestinians look at the aftermath of the Israeli strike on a U.N.-run school that killed dozens of people in the Nusseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, Thursday, June 6, 2024. An Israeli strike early Thursday on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in central Gaza killed more than 30 people, including 23 women and children, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said that Hamas militants were operating from within the school. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Videos circulating online appeared to show several wounded people being treated on the floor of the hospital, a common scene in Gaza’s overwhelmed medical wards. Electricity in much of the hospital is out because staff are rationing fuel supplies for the generator.

“You can’t walk in the hospital — there’s so many people. Women from the victims’ families are massed in the hallways, crying,” he said.

Hospital records and an Associated Press reporter at the hospital recorded at least 33 dead from the strike, including 14 children and nine women. Another strike on a house overnight killed six people, according to the records. Both strikes occurred in Nuseirat, one of several built-up refugee camps in Gaza dating to the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes in what became the new state.

Palestinians mourn relatives killed in an Israeli strike on Israeli strike on a U.N.-run school in the Nusseirat refugee camp, outside a hospital in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

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.

“The situation is tragic,” he said.

Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of UNRWA, said in a post on X that 6,000 people were sheltering in the school when it was hit without prior warning. He said UNRWA was unable to verify claims that armed groups were inside.

An Israeli military spokesman, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, said that the army wasn’t aware of any civilian casualties in the strike. He said that intelligence indicated that combatants had used the school compound to orchestrate some of the attacks on Oct. 7 and that at least 20 fighters there were using it currently as a “staging realm” to launch attacks on Israeli soldiers. The military gave no evidence for its claims and released a photo of the school, pointing to classrooms on the second and third floor where it claimed combatants were located.

A Palestinian looks at the aftermath of the Israeli strike on a U.N.-run school that killed dozens of people in the Nusseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, Thursday, June 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ismael Abu Dayyah)

The military said it took steps before the strike “to reduce the risk of harming uninvolved civilians … including conducting aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence information.”

UNRWA schools across Gaza have functioned as shelters since the start of the war, which has driven most of the territory’s population of 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes.

Last week, Israeli strikes hit near an UNRWA facility in the southern city of Rafah, saying they were targeting Hamas. An inferno ripped through tents nearby housing displaced families , killing at least 45 people. The deaths triggered international outrage, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the fire was the result of a “tragic mishap.” The military said the fire may have been caused by secondary explosions. The cause of the explosions has not been determined.

Israel sent troops into Rafah in early May in what it said was a limited incursion, but those forces are now operating in central parts of the city. More than 1 million people have fled Rafah since the start of the operation, scattering across southern and central Gaza into new tent camps or crowding into schools and homes.

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Israel launched its campaign in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into Israel, in which combatants killed some 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. Israel’s offensive has killed at least 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its figures.

Israel blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it positions fighters, tunnels and rocket launchers in residential areas.

The United States has thrown its weight behind a phased cease-fire and hostage release outlined by President Joe Biden last week. But Israel says it won’t end the war without destroying Hamas, while the group is demanding a lasting cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Far-right members of Netanyahu’s government have threatened to bring down the coalition if he signs onto a cease-fire deal.

Israel has routinely launched airstrikes in all parts of Gaza since the start of the war and has carried out massive ground operations in the territory’s two largest cities, Gaza City and Khan Younis, that left much of them in ruins.

The military waged an offensive earlier this year for several weeks in Bureij and several other nearby refugee camps in central Gaza.

Troops pulled out of the Jabaliya camp in northern Gaza last Friday after weeks of fighting caused widespread destruction. First responders have recovered the bodies of 360 people, mostly women and children, killed during the battles.

Samy Magdy reported from Cairo.

Chef Justin Sutherland is finally bringing back Pearl & the Thief, his restaurant that briefly operated in Stillwater.

The new version of Pearl & the Thief, a restaurant focusing on seafood and southern fare, will be in the Mill District of downtown Minneapolis in the O2 Luxury Tower at 250 Portland Ave.

Sutherland is partnering with Sherman Associates, the owners of the building, and Restore Restaurant Holdings, featuring chef Vincent Francoual. The two chefs will jointly curate the menu, which will include former favorites like Tennessee hot octopus and crab risotto, but will also feature new recipes that Sutherland has been collecting during his world travels. Additionally, the restaurant will feature a high-end whiskey bar and craft cocktails.

Smoked crab risotto from the Pearl and the Thief pop-up, pictured in September 2020. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

“I am beyond excited to partner with Restore Restaurant Holdings and Sherman Associates to bring Pearl & the Thief back to life in Minneapolis. It is hands down my favorite concept I’ve created, and I have been patiently waiting for the right time, location, and partners to make it a reality once again,” Sutherland said in a news release. “I am especially excited for the opportunity to collaborate with Chef Vincent who is a staple and visionary in the Twin Cities dining scene. … After spending the last few years traveling and cooking alongside some of the greatest chefs in the world I have been truly inspired and can’t wait to get back to leading a kitchen.”

O2 will also feature the third location of Big E, Sutherland’s egg-sandwich-focused restaurant. The two spaces will take up about 5,000 square feet and an additional 2,000 square feet of outdoor patio space on the corner of Washington and Portland avenues.

The restaurants are shooting for a fall 2024 opening.

Sutherland is a television celebrity at this point, competing on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” serving as co-host of TruTv’s syndicated “Fast Foodies,” and winning “Iron Chef America” among many other appearances. Besides the other two locations of Big E, he also operates Northern Soul locations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and The Preserve at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, and has recently announced that he will lead the culinary operations at Golden Thyme Coffee and Cafe in St. Paul.

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After designing an alternate uniform last season that paid homage to the franchise’s rich history, the Vikings decided that this season they’re simply going to lean into Minnesota’s climate.

In a series of posts on social media, the Vikings unveiled an alternate uniform on Thursday morning, aptly dubbing it the “Winter Warrior” collection. The aesthetic is almost entirely white from head to toe, a marking the first time in franchise history that the Vikings won’t be rocking a purple helmet when they take the field.

The plan is for the Vikings to wear the “Winter Warrior” collection when they host the Chicago Bears in primetime on Dec. 16.

The decision to roll out the “White Warrior” collection comes partially in response to how much the fan base has gravitated to toward the “Winter Whiteout” theme over the past couple of seasons. In those games, the Vikings wore their their white jerseys and their white pants, finishing the look with their purple helmets.

In a release, Vikings director of brand and design Alicia Dreyer noted how the fan base was clamoring for a white helmet to tie everything together.

“It’s a two-year process to create new uniforms and helmets,” Dreyer said in a release. “We appreciate the fans’ patience and hope they are as proud and excited of the result as we are.”

In a release Vikings art manager Jackie Ramacher emphasized how the alternate uniform celebrates the toughness of Minnesotans across the state.

“We are not only bonded by our harsh, cold winters, we embrace them,” Ramacher said in a release. “It’s fitting that the Vikings wear the coldest uniforms in the NFL.”

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By Tommy Tindall | NerdWallet

It’s hard to believe Amazon.com started back in July 1995 as an online retailer that sold books only. Almost 30 years later, it’s likely the first place you look when you get the idea to buy anything.

Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy and Target can be quite competitive with Amazon. Still, with the number of Amazon Prime members in the U.S. at 180 million, according to an estimate by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners in March, dependence on Amazon runs deep. If you shop there, lead with needs over wants to save money where it counts. Here’s a short list of the best things to buy (and a couple to skip) on Amazon.

Buy: Personal care items you can put on autopilot

Product purchases new parents can knock out at Amazon include baby wipes and diapers. Items like these are competitively priced on Amazon, especially when using “Subscribe & Save,” said Kallie Branciforte, a blogger and YouTuber in Connecticut, in an email.

“I am always surprised by how many people don’t take advantage of ‘Subscribe & Save,’” she said. “It’s the easiest way to save on the stuff you use all the time.”

When you subscribe to a product, you can set a schedule that aligns with when you’ll run out. Branciforte, who reaches millions of viewers with her “That Practical Mom” YouTube channel, lets Amazon replenish vitamins, diaper cream, her kids’ body wash and more to make life easier, and often cheaper.

Try subscribing to unique essentials, like nasal strips that let you breathe freely at night, or electric toothbrush heads to make healthy living habitual. Buying items like these on Amazon is more about selection and convenience than price.

As an incentive, Amazon offers up to 15% off when you receive five or more eligible products in one automatic delivery to the same address. “It’s such a simple way to save on things you’re already buying, completely on autopilot,” said Branciforte.

Buy: Pet food and litter

Putting pet food on auto-order is another convenience play for Prime members. Nobody likes scanning 25 tiny cans of Fancy Feast at the grocery store self-checkout lane. You can save the hassle and try to beat the per-can price by ordering the 30-pack on Amazon.

You can save your back by getting big bags of dog food or a 38-pound box of cat litter delivered.

Skip: Clothes you want to fit well and feel comfortable

Clothing can be hard to get right on Amazon, says Trae Bodge, the shopping expert at truetrae.com.

Bodge bought a dress on Amazon last year and loves the look, but says it’s scratchy inside. She prefers a store like Target for affordable pieces she can feel first.

When it comes to jeans and sneakers, you might be able to do better by buying from the source. Joining the Levi’s rewards program, for example, gets you free shipping and returns on Levi.com. “What you’ll find is that the style selection is broader, the size selection is broader,” says Bodge.

Nike is another brand that incentivizes customers to shop on its site. Members get free shipping on orders $50 or more, and shoes and apparel at Nike.com regularly go on sale.

Buy: Batteries, cables and phone cases

Back to the essentials, the Amazon Basics brand of batteries is an exceptional deal. At $12.52 for an 8-pack of 9-volt batteries (at the time of writing), you can add it and a pack of AA and AAAs to your cart the next time you checkout. Compare that with the 8-pack of Duracell 9-volt batteries we spotted at the Home Depot for $29.05.

Make Amazon your first stop after you buy a new or used iPhone or Android too. Apple’s $49 silicone case is highway robbery when you compare it with cases on Amazon that look, feel and protect the same for under $15. Amazon is also the place for power adapters, cables and wireless charging pads at prices that are cheaper than at Apple.

Buy: Amazon bestsellers

A helpful hack Branciforte shares in one of her YouTube videos is to use Amazon’s “Best Sellers” lists to narrow down searches.

It’s a little out of the way, but you get there by navigating to the top left of the desktop site and clicking the three bars to open the menu. Select “Best Sellers,” and from there, you can dive down by department to find popular buys in specific product categories.

Let’s say, for example, you’re looking for a shower head with better water pressure than the one you have. Rather than roll the dice on something from Home Depot or Lowe’s, you can look up bestsellers in the bath section on Amazon. Scroll down to the first or second one, likely the AquaCare HighPressure 8-mode handheld shower head for around $25, then buy it. This paragraph isn’t sponsored, but this Nerdy writer can attest to the power of this particular model.

Skip: Large furniture pieces that can be painful to return

Kind of like clothes, online furniture purchases can be regrettable.

Bodge avoids buying larger items at Amazon that you have to assemble. The perceived burden of sending it back could compel you to keep something you don’t want. And even if you do like it, the cardboard and other packing material that comes with a coffee table can be a royal pain in the trash.

Now that it’s normal to frequent stores again, it can save you time and strife to pick something out and buy it in person. You can also save by buying used. Thrift stores, antique shops and Facebook Marketplace are great places to score cheap furniture pieces from yesteryear that are still in style (and probably better made).

Advice: Read reviews and check price history before buying

Whatever you buy from Amazon, it’s important to read the reviews and it’s better when there are plenty of them, said Branciforte. She tends to be leery of items with few ratings unless the category is very niche.

“I’d rather buy something with 4.3 stars and 1,000+ reviews than 4.8 stars and 15 reviews because I know the first has been on the site longer, making it more trustworthy and valid,” she said.

Given that other retailers are working hard to outprice Amazon, Bodge says it pays to check the price history and look around before buying. Shopping browser extensions like PayPal Honey and the Camelizer make light work of making sure you aren’t overpaying. And it’s easy to do a quick Google search for any product.

With Prime Day in July, better deals could be on the horizon. “I think it can be worthwhile to wait,” said Branciforte.

You can still shop, though. Just put it in your cart and select “save for later.”

Tommy Tindall writes for NerdWallet. Email: ttindall@nerdwallet.com.

The article Best Things to Buy (and Skip) on Amazon: A Nerdy List originally appeared on NerdWallet.