Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City’s Fahmi al-Jarjawi School, which was serving as a shelter for displaced families, have killed at least 33 people and injured over 55 others, according to local health officials.
The school, located in the Daraj neighborhood, was hit multiple times while occupants were asleep, triggering a devastating fire that compounded the casualties. Per its modus operandi, the Israeli military sought to justify the attack on civilians by claiming Hamas was using the school as a command center. However, Israel has failed to provide any evidence to support its claim, with the horrific strikes drawing significant international condemnation.
Eyewitnesses have reported horrific scenes from the school, with charred bodies and displaced people engulfed in flames, as they had no means to reach safety.
The incident is part of a broader Israeli offensive in Gaza, which resumed in March after a truce with Hamas collapsed. The brutality of the offensive has mounted in recent weeks, as the world increasingly turns against Israel and its unending assault on civilians, including homes and shelters. On multiple occasions, Israel has issued evacuation orders without providing any safe space for civilians to shelter, underscoring the ultimate goal of genocide.
Amidst the brutality, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with shelters overwhelmed and no safe zones remaining due to the intensity of hostilities. The international community has expressed growing concern over the escalating violence and its impact on civilians, particularly children and families seeking refuge in schools and other facilities.
Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid are hampered by Israeli blockades, while a U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established to distribute aid directly to over one million Palestinians, has encountered opposition from U.N. agencies and aid groups who fear it violates humanitarian principles and will worsen displacement. The initiative faced further uncertainty with the sudden resignation of its U.S. head, Jake Wood, citing a lack of operational independence.
As the conflict continues, the international community is urging all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize the protection of civilians, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations to prevent further loss of life.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, approximately 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023, with nearly 90% of the population displaced. Most of the casualties are women and children. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its ongoing war on the enclave.