By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Israeli Airstrike on Gaza School Kills Over 70, Hospital Director Reports
An Israeli airstrike targeted a school building in Gaza City, which was sheltering displaced Palestinians, resulting in the deaths of more than 70 people, according to the director of al Ahli Hospital, where many of the victims were taken. Dr. Fadl Naeem, head of the hospital, reported that while some victims have been identified, the remains of many others were so disfigured that identification was difficult.
The Israeli military stated that al Taba’een school served as a base for Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, with approximately 20 operatives allegedly using the facility. However, Hamas has denied these claims.
The strike has drawn significant international criticism. Western powers and regional countries condemned the attack, suggesting it indicates Israel’s unwillingness to pursue a ceasefire or end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel has conducted several similar strikes on shelters in Gaza in recent weeks.
According to the United Nations, as of July 6, 477 out of 564 school buildings in Gaza had been directly hit or damaged, with more than a dozen targeted since then. The al Taba’een school, housing over 1,000 people including recent arrivals displaced from the town of Beit Hanoun after Israeli forces ordered them to evacuate was also a mosque. Witnesses reported that the strike occurred during dawn prayers.
Eyewitness accounts described the scene as horrific, with body parts scattered and blood covering the walls. Salim Oweis, a spokesman for UNICEF, called the attack "outrageous," emphasizing that these schools are packed with civilians, including children and families seeking refuge.
The Israeli military claimed that the strike precisely targeted Hamas militants operating within the al Taba’een school, asserting that their intelligence indicated around 20 militants, including senior commanders, were using the compound to carry out attacks. However, the casualty figures provided by Hamas run sources differ from those of the Israeli military, which disputes the reported death toll.
Hamas condemned the attack as a "horrific crime" and a dangerous escalation in Israel’s campaign against the Palestinian people. The Palestinian political group Fatah accused Israel of pursuing a policy of extermination.
International responses have been strong, with the head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, calling for an end to the horrors unfolding in Gaza. France condemned the strike in the strongest terms, calling on Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law. The UK's Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, also expressed his deep concern, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
This incident highlights a controversial aspect of the Gaza conflict, where Israel claims Hamas uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes, while Hamas denies these allegations. The ongoing strikes on schools and hospitals, where displaced civilians have sought refuge, have drawn widespread condemnation from the international community. The deadly nature of this latest strike is likely to increase pressure for a ceasefire, although regional mediators fear it may further complicate efforts to achieve one. Both Egypt and Qatar, key players in ceasefire negotiations, have expressed concern over Israel's actions, with Egypt accusing Israel of lacking the political will to end the war and Qatar calling for an urgent international investigation.
This latest escalation follows a deadly attack on Israel by Hamas led gunmen on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 others as hostages. The attack triggered a massive Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of over 39,790 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas run health ministry.
