An Israeli airstrike early Thursday on a school in central Gaza, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has resulted in the deaths of over 30 people, including 23 women and children. The Israeli military claimed that the school was being used by Hamas militants for operations, although they did not provide immediate evidence for this claim.
The predawn strike hit the al-Sardi School, which was sheltering displaced Palestinians. Witnesses described harrowing scenes as missiles struck classrooms on the second and third floors, where families had sought refuge. Ayman Rashed, a displaced individual from Gaza City, recounted carrying out five bodies, including those of an elderly man and two children. "It was dark, with no electricity, and we struggled to get out the victims," he said.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah received the bodies of 30 victims from the school strike, along with six more from a separate airstrike on a home. Hospital officials and an Associated Press reporter confirmed these figures. The hospital, already overwhelmed, struggled to cope with the influx of casualties. Videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes, with wounded individuals being treated on the hospital floor due to the lack of beds and resources.
The Israeli military's statement claimed that Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants had embedded themselves within the school, using it as a cover for planning attacks. Despite releasing a photo of the school and pointing out alleged militant positions, no direct evidence was offered. The military asserted that steps were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including aerial surveillance and gathering additional intelligence.
This incident is part of a broader escalation in central Gaza, where Israeli forces have launched ground and air assaults in several refugee camps, including Deir al-Balah and Bureij. These operations aim to target Hamas militants, who the military says have regrouped in these areas. The ongoing conflict, now in its eighth month, has seen extensive destruction and a high civilian toll.
The UNRWA schools across Gaza have become makeshift shelters for the displaced population since the start of the war. Gaza's Health Ministry reports that Israel's campaign, which began in response to Hamas' October 7 attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis, has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths. These figures do not differentiate between fighters and civilians.
Internationally, there is a push for a phased cease-fire and hostage release, advocated by U.S. President Joe Biden. However, Israel maintains that it will not halt its operations until Hamas is completely dismantled, while Hamas demands a lasting cease-fire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. Doctors Without Borders reported that at least 70 bodies and 300 wounded people, primarily women and children, were brought to hospitals following recent Israeli strikes. The health system in Gaza, already on the brink of collapse, is struggling with a shortage of medical supplies and electricity, exacerbating the crisis.
As the conflict continues, the toll on civilians, particularly those seeking refuge in supposed safe havens like UNRWA schools, remains devastating.
