An Israeli airstrike on a United Nations school-turned-shelter in Gaza’s Nuseirat camp has tragically claimed the lives of at least 18 people, including six UN staff members. This incident, reported by Gaza Civil Defense and hospital officials, also left at least 44 others injured.
Details of the Tragic Airstrike
The airstrike targeted the Al Jaouni UNRWA facility, which has been functioning as a shelter for displaced people since October. The facility was housing approximately 12,000 individuals, including many women and children. This marks the fifth time the facility has been struck since October 7.
UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, confirmed that the airstrike resulted in the highest death toll among its staff in a single incident. The agency’s officials condemned the attack, highlighting the severity of the loss.
Responses and Reactions
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike was aimed at what they described as “terrorists” operating within the school. The IDF claimed that the school had been used by Hamas for planning attacks against Israeli forces and asserted that efforts were made to avoid civilian casualties. The IDF described the incident as an example of Hamas’s abuse of civilian infrastructure.
In contrast, international leaders and organisations have strongly condemned the strike:
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the attack as “totally unacceptable” and called for an immediate cessation of such violations of international humanitarian law.
- UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini emphasised the devastating impact on UN staff, noting that at least 220 UNRWA staff have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began.
- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed profound sorrow and called for an end to the “carnage in Gaza,” urging for a ceasefire.
On-the-Ground Impact and Reactions
Footage from the scene showed severe damage, with debris and blood stains marking the location. The aftermath revealed a classroom shattered by the explosion, with belongings and food aid scattered among the rubble. Eyewitnesses described the horror of the scene:
- A man, visibly distressed, was seen carrying human remains, while another, Hani Haniya, frantically searched for his missing family members among the wreckage.
- Fadel Abu Hdayyeh, a witness, criticised the targeting of what he described as a shelter and food storage for displaced Palestinians, insisting that there were no combatants present.
At Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, emergency response teams were overwhelmed with casualties. The hospital’s emergency room was reportedly overcrowded with injured individuals, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis in the region.
Wider Context of the Conflict
The strike is part of a broader escalation in violence since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Recent figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health estimate over 41,000 deaths and 95,000 injuries in Gaza. The conflict has severely impacted civilian life, with hospitals, schools, and shelters frequently targeted.
Earlier on the same day, other Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in additional casualties, including the deaths of a child and six others in Qizan Al-Najjar, and at least 11 people in Khuza’a. Another strike in Jabalya killed nine members of the same family, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Calls for International Action
The international community has been vocal in its condemnation of the ongoing violence. The repeated targeting of civilian infrastructure and humanitarian facilities has drawn widespread criticism and calls for immediate action to address the escalating crisis.
As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on providing aid to the affected population and seeking a resolution to the conflict. The world watches closely as leaders and organisations work to address the dire humanitarian needs and push for an end to the violence.
