Israeli Airstrike on School in Gaza: At Least 27 Killed – On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school in northern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 Palestinians and wounding 70 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The attack took place in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, where many civilians had sought refuge. The tragic event highlights the escalating violence as Israel intensifies its military operations in the region, particularly in the wake of the ongoing conflict.
Among the victims were 14 children and five women, with their bodies recovered from the rubble of the school. Many of the wounded were reported to have critical injuries, and the death toll is expected to rise as more casualties are discovered. The attack occurred as many civilians had taken shelter in the school, which was serving as a temporary refuge from the airstrikes that have been sweeping through Gaza in recent days.
The Health Ministry spokesperson, Zaher al-Wahidi, confirmed the grim toll and expressed concern that more bodies could be found as search and rescue operations continued. This tragedy follows a series of similar strikes that have resulted in substantial civilian casualties, despite repeated calls for humanitarian relief.
In response to the attack, the Israeli military stated that the airstrike targeted a “Hamas command and control center” in Gaza City. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the strike was part of a broader effort to neutralize Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that governs the Gaza Strip. The IDF also emphasized that it had taken measures to minimize civilian harm, although such claims have been contested by international observers and humanitarian organizations.
It remains unclear whether the strike on the school was specifically aimed at the alleged Hamas facility or if it was a collateral impact of the broader military campaign. The Israeli military has previously stated that it has been focusing on key Hamas infrastructure and military targets, but the high number of civilian casualties raises concerns about the proportionality and effectiveness of its operations.
This attack follows a similar incident on Wednesday, where an Israeli strike hit a United Nations (UN) building in Gaza, which was being used as a shelter by displaced civilians. At least 17 people were killed in that strike. In both cases, the Israeli military cited Hamas’ use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes as justification for the attacks. However, such actions have drawn sharp criticism from the international community, which accuses Israel of endangering civilians in violation of international law.
Humanitarian groups, including the United Nations and various human rights organizations, have condemned these strikes, calling for greater protection of civilians and for all parties to respect international humanitarian law. These attacks have further exacerbated the suffering of Gaza’s civilian population, with many now displaced or left without basic necessities such as food, water, and medical care.
The international community has expressed deep concern over the mounting death toll in Gaza, with calls for a ceasefire and renewed efforts for peace talks. Several countries have condemned the attacks on civilian infrastructure, urging Israel to take greater care to avoid harming innocent people. However, despite these calls, the situation on the ground continues to worsen, with no immediate signs of a cessation in hostilities.
As the conflict enters its third week, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate. The tragic loss of life in the school strike serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the ongoing military operations and the urgent need for international intervention to protect civilians and seek a long-term resolution to the conflict.
