Israeli Air Raids Kill Dozens at UN-Run School in Gaza
Israeli air raids have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people at the al-Fakhoora School, which is operated by the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the casualties on Saturday, with many more believed to have been injured in the bombing.
It is reported that hundreds of individuals had sought shelter at the school, fleeing the relentless Israeli attacks in the area. The strike is said to have occurred in the early hours of the morning, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.
Tareq Abou Azzoum, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, described the scene as horrific, with dead bodies scattered everywhere and medical teams working to evacuate the wounded. Amid Israel’s ground offensive into northern Gaza, many Palestinians have been forced to seek refuge in UN-run schools for protection.
Tamara Alrifai, a spokesperson for UNRWA, expressed her dismay at the situation, stating that nowhere in Gaza is now safe for civilians. She recounted the tragic events that unfolded at the al-Fakhoora School, emphasizing that even UN buildings are not protected from the Israeli attacks. Alrifai revealed that, excluding the strike on Saturday, 66 people had been killed while seeking shelter in UN-run facilities.
The Jabalia refugee camp has been the target of airstrikes for weeks, with Israel claiming it is home to Palestinian fighters. Despite condemnations from the UN and regional governments, the deadly bombing campaign in the camp continues. The Israeli army has also repeatedly targeted schools and UN-run facilities, resulting in the deaths of over 12,000 Palestinians, many of whom are children.
The al-Fakhoora School had previously been hit by the Israeli army multiple times before the current conflict, raising concerns about the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure. Marwan Bishara, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, likened the school to the “al-Shifa of schools” in Gaza, in reference to the al-Shifa hospital, which has also been a primary target during the conflict.
The repeated attacks on civilian establishments have sparked outrage, with many condemning the indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians seeking refuge. The international community has called for an immediate halt to the violence and a return to peace negotiations to prevent further loss of life in the region.