GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in northern Gaza killed at least 25 people early Monday, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, in one of the deadliest incidents since Israel resumed its military offensive in March. Local medics said the toll could climb significantly, with multiple victims, including children, trapped beneath the rubble.
Officials at the scene described a chaotic and grisly aftermath at the Faami Aljerjawi School, where families had taken refuge from weeks of Israeli bombardment. The Health Ministry’s emergency service chief reported that over 55 people were wounded, among them a father and his children who were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the strike, saying it targeted a Hamas and Islamic Jihad command center embedded in the school compound. The military stated that “key terrorists” were operating within the facility and claimed “numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.”
Despite those claims, the pre-dawn strike on a civilian shelter has intensified global criticism of Israel’s campaign in Gaza, with humanitarian groups and international leaders expressing outrage over the rising civilian death toll. The Israeli military maintains that it only targets militants, placing blame on Hamas for operating within densely populated areas and using civilians as human shields.
The renewed Israeli offensive began in March after a fragile ceasefire with Hamas collapsed. Israel has vowed to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of dozens of hostages still held by the group since the October 7, 2023, terror attacks, which ignited the current war. The Palestinian militant group, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., Germany, Israel, and others, has said it will only release hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The latest strike follows a weekend incident that has further inflamed tensions: a doctor couple in Gaza lost nine of their ten children in an Israeli missile strike on their home. The tragedy triggered a wave of international condemnation and calls for restraint from global humanitarian organizations.
In a separate development, German airline group Lufthansa announced Monday it would suspend all flights to Tel Aviv through June 15, citing the “current situation” in the region. The decision affects flights operated by Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, ITA Airways, Brussels Airlines, and Lufthansa Cargo.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise. Monday’s school strike underscores the increasing cost of the conflict for civilians, especially those seeking shelter in places once thought safe. With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, the cycle of violence appears far from over.
