Israeli Strike on UN School in Gaza Kills 16
An Israeli air raid on a United Nations-run school in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp has left at least 16 Palestinians dead and over 75 injured, the Gaza Government Media Office confirmed. The al-Jaouni school, operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), was sheltering displaced civilians amid the brutal ongoing conflict.
Gaza Officials Blast Attack as ‘Massacre’
The Gaza Government Media Office condemned the strike, branding it a horrific massacre. They said: “We condemn the Israeli occupation committing these ongoing crimes and massacres against civilians, children and women.” This latest assault is part of a growing list of attacks that have targeted educational facilities in Gaza since hostilities erupted in early October.
Israel Defends Strike as Targeting Terrorists
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) claimed the strike was aimed at terrorists using the location as a base. The IDF said:
“Based on IDF and ISA intelligence, the IAF struck several terrorists operating in structures located in the area of @UNRWA’s Al-Jaouni School in central Gaza. This location served as both a hideout and operational infrastructure from which attacks against IDF troops operating in Gaza were directed and carried out.
“Prior to the strike, numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including precise aerial surveillance and additional intelligence. Hamas continues to violate international law by exploiting civilian structures and populations as human shields for its terrorist attacks against the State of Israel.”
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens as Death Toll Soars
The conflict has devastated Gaza’s population. Official figures reveal that since October 7, at least 38,098 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks. The besieged enclave faces severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. This latest strike on a UN-run shelter raises grave concerns over civilian protection and adherence to international law.
The international community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and demands the safeguarding of civilian infrastructure. With the death toll climbing, pressure is mounting on both sides to find a peaceful resolution before the crisis worsens further.
