An Israeli airstrike early Thursday targeted a school housing displaced Palestinians in central Gaza, resulting in the tragic loss of over 30 lives, including 23 women and children, as reported by local health authorities. The Israeli military asserted that Hamas militants had been operating from within the school premises.
This devastating incident adds to a series of casualties suffered by Palestinians seeking refuge amidst escalating Israeli offensives in the Gaza Strip. Just a day prior, the military had announced a renewed ground and air assault in central Gaza, citing the presence of regrouped Hamas militants in the area. Despite previous invasions by Israeli troops, Hamas continues to demonstrate resilience, complicating Israel’s nearly eight-month campaign in the region.
Witnesses and medical officials confirmed that the pre-dawn airstrike struck the al-Sardi School, administered by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), where numerous Palestinians had sought shelter from previous Israeli attacks. Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene, with missiles hitting classrooms where families had taken refuge, resulting in multiple casualties.
The casualties from the school strike overwhelmed the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, which had already been struggling to cope with the influx of patients since the onset of the central Gaza incursion. Videos circulated online depicted wounded individuals being treated on the hospital floor, illustrating the dire situation in Gaza’s medical facilities.
Despite the Israeli military’s claim that it took precautions to minimize civilian harm, including aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering, the scale of the tragedy underscores the challenges faced by civilians amidst the ongoing conflict. UNRWA schools across Gaza have served as shelters for the territory’s displaced population, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
The recent escalation follows previous Israeli strikes near UNRWA facilities, including an incident in Rafah that resulted in a deadly inferno, drawing international condemnation. The mounting civilian casualties have intensified calls for a cease-fire, with the United States endorsing a phased approach outlined by President Joe Biden. However, Israel remains committed to its campaign against Hamas, while the militant group insists on a lasting cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
As the conflict rages on, the civilian population in Gaza continues to bear the brunt of the violence, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable solution to end the cycle of bloodshed and devastation.
Credit: AP
