Israeli Air Strike on UN School in Gaza Kills Dozens Amid Escalating Conflict
ICARO Media Group
In another tragic day of attacks in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, an Israeli air strike on a United Nations-run school in northern Gaza has resulted in the deaths of "at least 50 people," according to a health official. The al-Fakhoura school, operated by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), was serving as a shelter for hundreds of Palestinians.
Al Jazeera aired graphic footage showing numerous lifeless bodies following the devastating attack on the school, which had previously been targeted by Israeli forces during past escalations of violence in 2009 and 2014. Adding to the tragedy, another Israeli strike on a building in the Jabalia refugee camp claimed the lives of 32 members of the Abu Habal family, including 19 children.
Meanwhile, in northern Gaza, at least 63 Palestinians arrived dead at the Indonesian Hospital, according to a medical source. These attacks were part of a series of deadly Israeli military strikes in Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun, and Gaza City. In addition, southern Gaza also faced relentless bombardment, despite Israeli orders for one million Palestinians in the north to take refuge there.
Israeli airstrikes on Khan Younis resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals, including children, while a strike on a house west of Khan Younis killed 15 people. Additionally, in Deir al-Balah, six Palestinians lost their lives due to an Israeli air strike, as reported by health officials. The death toll of Palestinians killed during the six-week conflict has now exceeded 12,000, with the majority being women and children.
Amidst the devastating attacks, patients at al-Shifa Hospital in the northern part of Gaza City were forcefully evacuated by the Israeli military. Witnesses reported that patients were made to raise white flags and walk in a line with Israeli tanks and soldiers on either side. Dr. Munir al-Borsh, Director General of the Palestinian health ministry, described the scenes as "horrible" and "unprecedented."
It is estimated that around 120 patients, including premature babies, remained in the hospital even after the evacuation. Five doctors and several nurses also stayed behind to assist in evacuating the wounded, while awaiting help from the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Dr. Borsh, who was among those forced to leave, continued his work at the Indonesian Hospital, after walking at least two kilometers.
The Israeli military, in a statement, denied ordering the evacuation of al-Shifa Hospital, claiming instead that the director of the hospital had requested a "secure axis" to allow those taking shelter in the facility to flee. However, doctors and health officials at al-Shifa strongly refuted this version of events, stating that they were forced out at gunpoint. They highlighted the urgent need for medical attention for many of the patients who were forced to evacuate.
As the Israel-Palestine conflict rages on, the toll on civilians, particularly women and children, continues to rise. The international community remains concerned about the escalating violence and the urgent need to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.