📷 Image Credits: The Hindu
Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza has once again sparked controversy as the Israeli military conducted a deadly airstrike on a United Nations-run school in central Gaza. The strike targeted a Hamas compound operating inside the school, leading to at least 40 casualties, as reported by Gazan health authorities. Israeli military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, stated that the strike targeted 20 to 30 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, including those involved in previous attacks on Israel. However, witnesses, medical personnel, and Gazan officials reported that many of the casualties were innocent civilians, including women and children.
An analysis by CNN revealed that US-made munitions, particularly GBU-39 small diameter bombs, were used in the strike on the school. This marks the second incident in two weeks where US-manufactured weapons were employed in deadly Israeli attacks on Palestinians. The US State Department remained cautious in response, indicating Israel’s responsibility for the use of American weapons.
The strike raised concerns about civilian casualties and the violation of international humanitarian law. While the Israeli military defended the bombing, claiming that they targeted militants inside, the UN Secretary-General condemned the attack, emphasizing the inviolability of UN premises during armed conflicts. Gaza authorities reported a significant increase in casualties, stressing the urgent need for medical attention and humanitarian relief.
The devastating impact of the conflict was evident in the overcrowded Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where bodies of the victims were taken, pushing the facility beyond its clinical capacity. Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General, highlighted the need for safeguarding schools and other UN premises amid escalating violence.
The lethal airstrike on the UN school underscores the grim reality of civilian casualties in the Israeli-Hamas war. As the conflict continues to escalate, the plight of innocent civilians, especially women and children, remains a pressing concern for humanitarian organizations and the international community.
