In one of the most tragic developments of the ongoing conflict, an Israeli airstrike reportedly struck a school sheltering displaced civilians in Gaza, leaving dozens dead and many more injured, according to local health authorities and international aid groups.
The strike occurred late Tuesday night in the Nuseirat refugee camp, where hundreds of Palestinians had taken shelter in a United Nations-run school building. The school, operated by UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), was said to be housing families who had fled intense fighting in northern Gaza.
“We were sleeping when the building shook. Then screams, dust, and chaos,” said one survivor who had taken refuge in the school with his wife and two children. “There was nowhere else to go.”
Dozens Dead, Many of Them Women and Children
Initial reports indicate that at least 35 to 45 people were killed, with many more seriously wounded. Most of the victims were women, children, and elderly individuals who had sought shelter from ongoing bombardment elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza’s Health Ministry labeled the strike a “massacre,” while humanitarian agencies described the scene as horrific.
“This is a place that should have been safe. Instead, it became a graveyard,” said a spokesperson for Doctors Without Borders, who has personnel on the ground.
Israel Responds: Strike Targeted Militants Using School as Cover
The Israeli military confirmed the strike and said it was targeting Hamas militants allegedly using the school as a command post. According to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), intelligence indicated that armed groups were operating inside or adjacent to the school grounds, using civilians as human shields — a tactic Hamas has long been accused of.
“The IDF conducted a precise strike on a Hamas compound embedded within a school in Nuseirat,” the statement read. “Every effort was made to minimize civilian casualties, but the presence of militants in civilian areas continues to make that difficult.”
The statement has not been independently verified, and humanitarian observers are calling for a full investigation into the circumstances of the strike.
Mounting Civilian Toll in Gaza
The attack comes amid a broader escalation in Gaza, where over 35,000 people have reportedly been killed since the conflict reignited, according to local health officials. The UN has repeatedly warned of a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, as essential infrastructure continues to collapse under the strain of ongoing airstrikes, fuel shortages, and blocked aid routes.
This latest incident has triggered renewed global calls for a ceasefire, with leaders across Europe, the Middle East, and the United Nations urging restraint and emphasizing the need to protect civilian lives.
“Schools must never be battlegrounds,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “Civilians, especially children, must be shielded — not sacrificed.”
The Bigger Picture: No End in Sight
As the war drags on, international pressure is building on both sides. Israel insists it has the right to defend itself against Hamas attacks, particularly after the brutal October 7 attacks that sparked the current war. But critics argue that the scale of destruction in Gaza, and the loss of innocent life, is no longer justifiable.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza say they are left with nowhere safe to go — and no one to protect them.
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