Tragic Israeli Airstrike on Gaza UN School: At Least 35 Dead
In a devastating turn of events, an Israeli airstrike on a United Nations school in central Gaza has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 35 individuals. This incident has sparked a fierce exchange of accusations between Israel and the Hamas-run government in Gaza, further intensifying an already volatile situation.
Israeli Military’s Claim Israel’s military announced it had executed a “precise strike on a Hamas compound” located within the school, claiming that many of the 20 to 30 fighters believed to be inside were killed. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) shared an aerial photograph indicating the targeted classrooms on the building’s upper floors, which they assert were being used by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives.
Hamas Denial and Accusations Contrarily, Gaza’s Hamas-run Government Media Office has denied these allegations, branding the airstrike as a “horrific massacre.” The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, labeled the incident as “horrific” and expressed shock over the possibility of armed groups using the school as a shelter, although this could not be independently confirmed.
Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath Local journalists reported that the strike occurred at the al-Sardi school in the Nuseirat refugee camp. Videos circulating on social media depict the extent of the destruction and show bodies wrapped in shrouds and blankets. Eyewitness Udai Abu Elias recounted the chaos and horror following the explosions, highlighting the dire situation for displaced civilians, particularly children and the elderly.
Humanitarian Crisis The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital, overwhelmed with casualties, reported receiving 40 bodies from the school. Gaza’s health ministry confirmed that 40 people, including 14 children and nine women, were killed, and 74 others injured. The UNRWA emphasized that more than 180 of its buildings have been hit since the conflict began, resulting in over 450 displaced deaths.
International Reaction and Ongoing Conflict This tragedy comes amidst a broader, eight-month-long war that has seen over 36,650 people killed in Gaza. The Israeli military has recently taken control of areas in the Bureij refugee camp and eastern Deir al-Balah, continuing its operations against Hamas.
Global condemnation followed a previous Israeli airstrike last month, which killed dozens of Palestinians at a displaced persons camp in Rafah. This prompted renewed efforts for a ceasefire and a hostage release deal, with US President Joe Biden outlining a proposed truce.
Calls for Ceasefire Amid ongoing negotiations, 18 countries, including the US and UK, urged Israeli and Hamas leaders to finalize a ceasefire and bring relief to hostage families. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his stance against a permanent ceasefire until Hamas is defeated and hostages are released, declaring the country’s goal of “total victory.”
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the severe humanitarian toll on the people of Gaza. The international community continues to watch closely, urging all parties to seek a peaceful and just end to the violence.
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