At least 28 people, including several children, have been killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. Among the fatalities were four children sheltering in a school repurposed as a refuge for displaced families, highlighting the devastating toll of the conflict.
The school, located in Gaza City and managed by the United Nations, was struck over the weekend. Eight people lost their lives in the attack, with eyewitnesses describing scenes of chaos and destruction. Abu, a displaced man sheltering at the school, told BBC Arabic, “We were sleeping peacefully, then suddenly we woke up to the sound of a very powerful explosion.” Another survivor, Mahmoud, recounted how debris rained down on them as they slept in tents within the schoolyard.
Mounting international condemnation
The attack on the school has drawn sharp criticism from international figures. Pope Francis condemned the strikes for the second consecutive day, decrying the targeting of schools and hospitals. “I feel deep pain when I think of such cruelty,” he said during his Sunday address.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities near healthcare facilities, particularly the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, described the bombardment near the hospital and an alleged evacuation order as “deeply worrisome.”
Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, the hospital’s director, accused Israeli forces of treating the facility “as if we were a military installation.” He warned that relocating hospital operations would endanger patients and implored for the safety of medical staff to be prioritised.
Israeli justifications
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that a Hamas command centre was located within the compound of the Musa bin Nusair school, a justification often cited in similar incidents. On social media, the IDF accused Hamas of systematically violating international law and reiterated its resolve to act decisively against terrorist organisations.
Israel has not commented on the reports of attacks near the Kamal Adwan Hospital but told the BBC that the facility remains operational.
Humanitarian crisis deepens
The strikes on civilian infrastructure come amidst a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Over 45,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed during the 14-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The war began in October 2023 following an unprecedented Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the taking of 251 hostages.
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Displacement continues to rise, with thousands of families seeking refuge in schools, hospitals, and temporary shelters. Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defence agency, emphasised the plight of those forced from their homes. “These schools and hospitals are the only sanctuaries left for many. Striking them robs civilians of their last vestiges of safety,” he said.
Calls for ceasefire
As the violence intensifies, Palestinian factions have suggested that a ceasefire deal is “closer than ever.” However, the path to peace remains fraught, with deep mistrust on both sides.
The escalating conflict has reignited debates on the proportionality of military responses and the ethical considerations of warfare in densely populated areas. While Israel maintains its stance on targeting Hamas infrastructure, critics argue that the human cost has reached unacceptable levels.
The global response
The international community is divided. Western allies of Israel have largely supported its right to self-defence, citing Hamas’ initial attacks as the catalyst for the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations and several nations have called for immediate de-escalation and accountability for civilian casualties.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with no clear end in sight. For families like those mourning loved ones lost in the school attack, the hope for peace feels increasingly out of reach.
