Gaza City,
August 10, 2024
A devastating Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza City early Saturday morning has left dozens of displaced civilians dead, escalating the ongoing conflict and drawing widespread international condemnation.
The al-Tabin school, located in the densely populated Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City, was struck by an Israeli airstrike as hundreds of civilians, including women and children, sought refuge from the relentless bombardment. Local health officials have reported a death toll of at least 93, with scores more injured, some critically . The school had been serving as a shelter for displaced families who had fled from other heavily bombarded areas of Gaza.
The international response has been swift and severe. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have condemned the strike, labeling it a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) emphasized that the school was clearly marked as a civilian shelter and that the attack represents a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions .
“Schools and other civilian facilities are not legitimate targets,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. “This tragic event is yet another example of the human cost of the ongoing conflict.”
In response, the Israeli military asserted that the al-Tabin school had been used as a command center by Hamas militants, which they claim justified the airstrike. Despite their efforts to minimize civilian casualties, the scale of the devastation has intensified scrutiny over the proportionality and necessity of such military actions .
An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson stated, “While we regret any loss of innocent life, it is crucial to understand that Hamas routinely uses civilian infrastructure to shield its operations, forcing us into difficult decisions.”
The airstrike has worsened the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza. Hospitals, which were already overwhelmed by the sheer volume of casualties from previous attacks, are now struggling to cope with the influx of severely injured civilians. Fadel Naeem, director of al-Ahli hospital, described the injuries as “some of the most severe we have seen in this conflict,” adding that medical supplies are running dangerously low.
The incident has amplified calls from the international community for an immediate ceasefire. Both the European Union and the United States have expressed deep concern over the rising civilian death toll, urging all parties to cease hostilities and return to the negotiating table. Additionally, there have been increasing demands for an independent investigation into the airstrike to determine whether it constitutes a war crime .
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens by the hour. The international community is rallying for urgent action to protect civilians and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach those in desperate need. The tragic loss of life in this latest airstrike highlights the urgent necessity of finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict and preventing further bloodshed.
Resources:
2.https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8erk37yn2no