In a tragic development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, an Israeli airstrike on a United Nations school in Gaza has resulted in the loss of at least 12 lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The school was serving as a shelter for thousands of displaced Palestinians in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.
The health ministry in Gaza reported the casualties in a statement, revealing that in addition to the 12 fatalities, over 54 individuals were wounded in the attack. The Al-Fakhura school, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), was a place of refuge for those who had been displaced by the conflict.
The tragedy unfolded as an Israeli airstrike targeted the school, leading to significant loss of life and injuries among the sheltering civilians. As of now, there has been no official comment from the Israeli authorities regarding the incident. Independent verification of the casualty figures is also pending.
Additionally, the UNRWA, which plays a crucial role in supporting Palestinian refugees, has not yet provided a statement on the situation. However, this distressing event follows an announcement made by UNRWA just two days prior, stating that four of its schools in the Gaza Strip, which were housing displaced individuals affected by the conflict, had sustained damage due to bombings.
The conflict in the region has been ongoing, with significant consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly expressed concerns about the impact on innocent lives, and the recent airstrike on a UN school underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, as well as the protection of civilian spaces and infrastructure.
The international community continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and a return to negotiations to bring an end to the hostilities, providing hope for a more stable and secure future for all those affected by the conflict.
