Dozens have died, including children, following an Israeli airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in Gaza, highlighting the humanitarian crisis intensifying amid the ongoing conflict.
Israeli Airstrike Casualties Rise in Gaza Amid Intensified Offensives
Israeli Airstrike Casualties Rise in Gaza Amid Intensified Offensives
Reports indicate that an Israeli airstrike claimed numerous lives at a shelter in Gaza City as military operations escalate.
Dozens lost their lives on Thursday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City, according to local health officials. This attack occurred as Israel heightened its military operations in the Gaza Strip, exerting pressure on Hamas to release hostages. The Israeli military stated it is examining reports of the incident but had no immediate comments to offer.
Health ministry reports confirmed that 27 bodies resulting from the strike were delivered to Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City, with the casualty figures encompassing both civilians and combatants. Verified videos from the scene depict a devastating explosion and its aftermath, with rescuers seen carrying injured victims—including children—amid the chaos and smoke.
Mohammed al-Najjar, a survivor who sheltered at the school during the attack, expressed shock at the bombing, indicating that multiple strikes hit the location, creating widespread fear and confusion among the residents. Israel has consistently accused Hamas of utilizing civilian facilities like schools and hospitals as operational bases.
Prior to the airstrike, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged residents of the Tuffah neighborhood to evacuate as tensions escalated. While some heeded this call, many chose to remain in their homes or shelters, weary of repeated displacements, exacerbated by a prolonged conflict that has left them with scant options. A cease-fire that had lasted for two months collapsed in mid-March, resulting in an aggressive bombing campaign over Gaza, with over 1,000 reported casualties since.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the ramifications for civilians remain dire, with humanitarian organizations pushing for urgent attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding amidst military operations.
