Israeli Airstrike on Gaza School Results in Tragic Loss of Life

Israeli Airstrike Hits Gaza School, Resulting in Tragic Loss of Life

An Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City, which was being used as a shelter, tragically resulted in the death of at least 25 individuals and left dozens more injured on Sunday, as reported by the Palestinian emergency response agency and various Palestinian news outlets. This incident marks the third attack on educational institutions within a span of just four days.

According to Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense, the majority of the casualties were women and children. The airstrike targeted the Hassan Salame school, where he indicated that at least 14 people remained trapped under the rubble. Additionally, shrapnel from the explosion struck a neighboring facility known as Nasser school.

The exact identity of the victims, particularly whether any were militants, remains uncertain. The Israeli military claimed that its operations were aimed at “terrorists” located within “Hamas command and control centers” situated at both Hassan Salame and Nasser schools. They asserted that comprehensive measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties prior to the attack, including the use of precision munitions and detailed surveillance. However, they did not elaborate on the specific steps taken to mitigate risks.

In the wake of the airstrike, the impact on civilians was profound. “Right in front of me, there was a 5-year-old child dying. How is that related to October 7?” Mr. Basal lamented. “If you want to kill someone, target them away from civilians.”

This tragic event echoed similar occurrences just a day prior, where 17 individuals lost their lives in an assault on Hamama School, and another strike on Thursday at Dalal al-Mughrabi School resulted in 15 fatalities. All four schools were serving as makeshift shelters for Gazans who had been displaced by the ongoing conflict, transforming classrooms and hallways into overcrowded and unhygienic living conditions.

Following each attack, harrowing videos circulated on social media, depicting scenes of destruction, chaos, and despair, with structures engulfed in flames and people fleeing in terror, while others lay motionless on the ground.

In its statement, the Israeli military maintained that Hamas has embedded itself among civilians, effectively using them as human shields, a defense strategy Israel often cites in light of the widespread international condemnation it faces over the significant civilian death toll. However, experts in international law emphasize that Israel bears responsibility for the protection of civilians, regardless of Hamas’s alleged tactics.

Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, most of Gaza’s schools have been repurposed as shelters for the thousands of displaced individuals. The Israeli military has frequently targeted school buildings or the surrounding areas, justifying these actions by claiming that Hamas utilizes these facilities. The group has consistently denied these allegations.

A recent assessment by the United Nations revealed that nearly 85 percent of Gaza’s educational institutions have suffered destruction or damage during the conflict, with over half of the school buildings that were used as shelters being directly hit.

Isabel Kershner contributed reporting from Jerusalem, while Ameera Harouda provided insights from Doha.