Israeli Airstrike Hits UNRWA-Operated School in Gaza

Israeli Strike Hits UNRWA-Operated School in Gaza

At least 14 individuals lost their lives and dozens sustained injuries in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Abu Ariban School within the Nuseirat refugee camp. The school, managed by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), was serving as a shelter for displaced individuals amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Impact on the Displaced

Um Fadi Al-Zeer, a displaced woman taking refuge at the school, expressed the sentiment of many affected individuals, stating, “The one who goes to school because he wants to hide from death. He is not going to resist. We do not want anything. We only want to be safe, but now neither the school nor the home nor any place is safe. They are targeting everything.”

Israel’s Response

Israel’s military defended the strike, mentioning that it targeted “terrorists who were reportedly operating in the area and based in the UNRWA school.” The incident followed a deadly Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza that claimed the lives of at least 90 people and left 300 others wounded.

Continued Conflict

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant commended troops for their efforts in combatting Hamas but cautioned that the pursuit of the group would persist for years. He emphasized the ongoing weakening of Hamas and the military’s strategic strikes on key Hamas locations.

Humanitarian Crisis

In northern Gaza, charities have established soup kitchens to aid the population facing food shortages. Over 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, living in dire conditions with limited access to essential supplies. International experts warn of an impending famine affecting hundreds of thousands in Gaza.