An Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter for displaced Palestinians in Gaza has resulted in the tragic loss of 18 lives, triggering strong international condemnation. The devastating attack, which occurred on Wednesday, saw part of the al-Jaouni school in Nuseirat reduced to rubble, claiming the lives of six workers from UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees), the organization responsible for managing the shelter. This incident marks the highest death toll among UNRWA staff in a single event in its history.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his unequivocal disapproval of the strike, describing it as "totally unacceptable." Guterres' spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, added that women and children were among the casualties. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also expressed outrage at the deaths, emphasizing that the attacks disregarded the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Sufyan Qudah, released a statement denouncing the assault, attributing Israel's continued violation of international law to the lack of a firm and decisive international response. Similarly, the director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, condemned the strike, demanding an end to the bloodshed in Gaza.

Hani Mahmoud, a reporter for Al Jazeera stationed in Deir el-Balah, described scenes of chaos and heartbreak as the victims of the attack were taken to hospitals. Mahmoud stated that the mourners bid farewell to their loved ones who had been pronounced dead at the hospital, adding that one critically injured individual was briefly brought out of the hospital to say goodbye to family members who had perished in the strike. Mahmoud further highlighted that this was not the first instance of UN-run evacuation centers being targeted.

In response to the global outcry, the Israeli military claimed that the strike was a "precise" attack on Hamas fighters within the school premises. Israeli government spokesman David Mencer asserted that the school had ceased being a place of education and had become a legitimate target due to Hamas using it for launching attacks. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, alleged that UNRWA had failed to provide the names of the deceased workers, and a military inquiry revealed that a significant number of the names circulating in the media and social networks belonged to Hamas operatives.

UNRWA spokeswoman Juliette Touma denied any knowledge of such requests for names, reiterating that the agency annually provided Israel with a list of its staff members. Furthermore, Touma emphasized that UNRWA had consistently called upon both Israel and Palestinian factions to refrain from using civilian facilities for military or combat purposes.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, expressed his grief over the tragic event, noting that this airstrike brought the total count to at least 220 UNRWA staff members lost during the conflict.

The international community, along with humanitarian organizations, continues to push for an end to the violence and a renewed commitment to protecting civilians in the midst of the ongoing conflict.