At least 11 individuals have lost their lives due to an Israeli airstrike on a school in northern Gaza that was serving as a shelter for displaced families, according to the local health ministry. Among the deceased were women and children, who were transported to various hospitals following the attack on the al-Faluja School located in the Jabalia refugee camp.
The Israeli military asserted that a “precise” strike targeted a “command-and-control center” used by Hamas fighters, a claim that Hamas has categorically denied. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that thousands of displaced Palestinians were residing in the school and estimated the death toll to be as high as 15.
Local medical sources indicated that at least 14 individuals were killed in the strike. One local resident described the frightening moment, stating that the school was struck by two missiles, and the explosions felt “like an earthquake.” He expressed disbelief that a facility meant to provide refuge for those without options had turned into a scene of tragedy, branding it a “shocking massacre.”
Since the onset of conflict between Israel and Hamas nearly a year ago, many schools have been repurposed into shelters for approximately 1.9 million displaced Palestinians. However, statistics reveal that at least 61% of these schools have been directly impacted by the conflict, with another 24% suffering damage, as indicated by satellite assessments conducted by the UN and its partners.
In recent days, three additional schools in northern and central Gaza have been targeted by Israeli airstrikes, resulting in at least 32 fatalities. The Israeli military reiterated that these operations were aimed at Hamas command centers and stated that measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties. Accusations have arisen against Hamas for allegedly violating international law by operating within civilian facilities.
The Israeli military initiated its campaign to dismantle Hamas in response to the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 others. Since that time, over 41,150 individuals have reportedly been killed in Gaza, as per local health ministry reports.
In a recent address to the UN General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is based in the occupied West Bank and is a rival of Hamas, urged world leaders to bring an end to the ongoing conflict. He implored, “Stop this crime. Stop it now. Stop killing children and women. Stop the genocide. Stop sending weapons to Israel. This madness cannot continue.”
Israel’s ambassador to the UN condemned Abbas’s remarks, pointing out that he failed to mention Hamas. He criticized Abbas for not denouncing Hamas’s actions since the October 7 massacre.
Efforts by the US, Egypt, and Qatar to establish a ceasefire and facilitate a hostage release have faced setbacks in recent weeks, as negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah have stalled.
