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At least 16 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinian families in central Gaza on Saturday, the Palestinian health ministry said, in an attack Israel said had targeted militants. The health ministry reported that the attack on the school in Al-Nuseirat killed at least 16 people and wounded over 50. The Israeli military stated that precautions were taken to minimize risk to civilians before targeting gunmen using the area as a hideout to plan and carry out attacks against soldiers. Hamas denied having fighters in the area. Witness accounts at the scene described the devastating impact on children, with bodies in pieces and a once-playground turned to ruins.
Amid the escalating violence, Gaza health authorities reported over 38,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s offensive, with a significant number being civilians. Israel has lost 323 soldiers in Gaza, emphasizing the toll on both sides during the nine-month-long conflict. The recent attack on a U.N. school complex further raised international concerns, as outraged voices call for a ceasefire and accountability.
The United Nations’ human rights office criticized the Israeli strike, citing potential violations of international humanitarian law. The attack on the school complex had a devastating impact, with dozens killed, including women and children. The Israeli military defended its actions, stating they targeted militants using the school compound as a base, but reports indicate civilian casualties. Calls for transparency and investigations into civilian deaths from the strike echo internationally.
In response to the attack, the NAACP called on President Biden to halt weapons shipments to Israel over the mounting civilian death toll. The influential civil rights group urged the U.S. government to take action to limit access to weapons used against civilians. The conflict in Gaza has galvanized global attention, with growing criticism of the continued violence and the need for a peaceful resolution.
As the situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands seeking refuge in U.N. facilities, the toll of civilian casualties continues to rise. International outcry and demands for accountability underscore the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian intervention in the conflict-ridden region.
