An Israeli strike hit a school in the central Gaza Strip where displaced people were taking shelter, killing at least 17 individuals, as reported by Palestinian medical officials. The victims were predominantly women and children, with 13 children under 18 and three women among the casualties.
The Israeli military claimed they were targeting Hamas militants in a command center within the school, but did not provide any evidence to support this claim. This incident is not an isolated one, as Israel has conducted several strikes on schools used as shelters, stating that they are targeting militants hiding among civilians. Unfortunately, these strikes often result in the deaths of innocent women and children.
Health workers in northern Gaza have raised concerns about the dire situation there, as Israel continues its air and ground offensive for more than two weeks. The hospital is facing shortages of medical supplies, and first responders are struggling to rescue people in need.
In a separate development, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional $135 million in aid to the Palestinians during his visit to Qatar. The US is urging Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, which has been devastated by the ongoing conflict.
The war in Gaza has had devastating consequences, with over 42,000 Palestinians killed according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. While the Israeli military claims to have killed over 17,000 fighters, the exact number of civilian casualties, including women and children, remains unknown.
The conflict has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population, forcing hundreds of thousands of people into overcrowded tent camps along the coast. Ceasefire negotiations have not been successful, and the war has spilled over into Lebanon, where Israel launched a ground invasion after clashes with the Hezbollah militant group.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. It is crucial for the international community to step in and work towards a lasting peace to prevent further loss of life and suffering in the region.