Israeli Air Strike Hits UN School in Gaza, Leaving 15 Dead – Eyewitnesses
An Israeli air strike targeted a United Nations (UN)-run school in northern Gaza, leading to the death of at least 15 people, according to witnesses. The attack occurred while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was engaged in discussions with regional Arab leaders on containing the conflict. Palestinian witnesses described the strike on Al-Fakhoura school in Jabalia, where thousands of evacuees were residing, stating that it caused severe casualties and numerous injuries. The aftermath was captured in Reuters footage, showing the devastation with broken furniture, bloodstains, and distraught individuals.
A young boy, visibly distressed, shared his experience in a video obtained by Reuters, recounting the horrors he witnessed and expressing a desire for vengeance. The incident has sparked anger and frustration among Palestinians, with one man questioning the fairness of striking shelters, calling it unjust. Juliette Touma, director of communication for the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), confirmed that the school, located in Gaza City, was indeed hit. While UNRWA acknowledged the presence of children among the victims, the precise death toll has not yet been verified.
This attack adds to a series of reported air strikes over the past week that have inflicted significant damage on the Jabalia refugee camp, one of the largest settlements in Gaza. Palestinian authorities have reported a death toll of at least 195 people as a result of these strikes. In addition to the strike on the school, the Gaza health ministry revealed that another Israeli missile killed two women near the entrance of the Nasser Children Hospital, leaving several others injured.
The Israeli military has not yet provided any immediate comment on either incident. However, their ground forces have encircled Gaza City as part of an intensified bombing campaign aimed at targeting Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza. Israel has stated that its objective is to eradicate Hamas after the group conducted a large-scale assault in southern Israel, resulting in the death of 1,400 people and the hostage-taking of more than 240 individuals.
In response to the deteriorating situation, Israel had previously ordered the evacuation of civilians from the northern region of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, instructing them to move south. However, many individuals remain in the north, feeling trapped and afraid to use the main highway due to fears of Israeli forces. While the Israeli military announced a three-hour window for Palestinians to travel on the Salah a-Din road, urging them to head south, numerous residents expressed hesitation and shared warnings on social media about the presence of Israeli tanks.
Amid the escalating tensions, US Special Envoy David Satterfield highlighted that around one million people have relocated to the south of Gaza, but around 350,000-400,000 people are still located in northern Gaza City and its surroundings. The dire situation in Gaza has been further exacerbated by a full blockade imposed by Israel, with limited aid entering from Egypt. However, there have not been any recorded instances of Hamas seizing aid, according to Satterfield.
Discussions between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and regional Arab leaders, including Qatar’s foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, focused on efforts to mediate the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. However, the ongoing bombardment of the enclave has complicated these efforts. The urgent need for a ceasefire was emphasized during the meeting, with Arab leaders stressing the importance of delivering humanitarian aid and putting an end to the dangerous escalation that threatens regional security.
In a potential escalation of Israel’s ground offensive, the military released footage showing armored bulldozers operating in northern Gaza to create access routes for their forces. A combined tank and combat engineering unit also conducted a pinpoint raid in southern Gaza to map out buildings and eliminate explosives. Meanwhile, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have also increased, with Israel striking what it described as a number of Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon following attacks from the region. Hezbollah, backed by Iran like Hamas, utilized a powerful missile to target an Israeli position.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for the inclusion of Gaza in an independent Palestinian state once the conflict with Israel comes to an end. The living conditions in Gaza, which were already dire before the fighting, have further deteriorated, with scarcity of food, residents resorting to drinking saline water, and collapsing medical services. Hamas, anticipating a lengthy conflict, believes it can withstand Israel’s advances long enough to force a ceasefire. The organization is seeking concessions, such as the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages.
While international calls for a ceasefire continue to grow, the United States has resisted such demands and instead proposed localized pauses. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected this idea during his meeting with Secretary Blinken. Washington has maintained unwavering support for Israel while urging measures to prevent civilian casualties and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Nevertheless, regional actors have emphasized the need for a swift end to the conflict and the implementation of a new strategy by Washington to avoid being perceived as ineffective in the region.
The situation in Gaza remains critical, and efforts are underway to halt the violence and provide much-needed relief to the affected population. The international community continues to closely monitor the developments in hopes of deescalating the conflict and preventing further loss of life.
