Escalation in Gaza: Israeli Airstrikes on UN School Spark Controversy
The death toll has climbed following an Israeli attack on a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school harboring displaced persons in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital in Deir al-Balah reported receiving '37 martyrs' since the attack on the school, an increase from the earlier count of 27 fatalities released by the Hamas press office.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) underscored that the strike was aimed at a Hamas compound 'eliminating several terrorists' who were plotting attacks against IDF troops. Notably, terrorists from Hamas and Islamic Jihad's Nukhba Force, implicated in the October 7 attack on Israeli communities, were purportedly operating from the school's vicinity.
An IDF spokesperson emphasized that 'steps were taken to reduce the risk of harming uninvolved civilians,' including aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering. However, the military also reported having 'no information on civilian casualties' from the raid, a claim that sharply contrasts with the figures reported from Gaza. The spokesperson pointed out that the UNRWA school was the fifth instance in the last month where terrorists allegedly utilized UN buildings to shelter themselves, expecting the IDF to approach these facilities with caution due to their humanitarian nature.
Hamas has rejected Israel's assertions of terrorist activity within the school, accusing Israel of committing a 'horrible massacre'. This discord further fuels the long-standing controversy over Israel's airstrikes in humanitarian zones, which has drawn significant international criticism.
In a concurrent event, the IDF announced eliminating three terrorists near Rafah in southern Gaza. The military noted that soldiers had identified several suspects approaching the border and neutralized them with coordinated air and artillery strikes. Meanwhile, the conflict also claimed the life of an Israeli reservist in Hurfeish, northern Israel, following a Hezbollah drone attack from Lebanon.
While the fighting intensifies, diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire continue. Representatives from the USA, Qatar, and Egypt are holding discussions in Doha, seeking an end to the hostilities. US President Joe Biden has proposed a new three-step ceasefire plan, requiring Israel to withdraw forces from inhabited areas of Gaza and engage in negotiations for a permanent cessation of hostilities.
- The Gaza conflict has reached new levels of complexity with continued air strikes and mounting casualties. On the 26th of last month, the Israeli military bombed the Rafah refugee camp, leading to significant international backlash. At least 45 people were killed and 249 injured in the Rafah strike, occurring a day after the International Court of Justice ordered a halt to the airstrikes.
- The renewed violence has provoked calls for accountability, with the International Criminal Court requesting an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As civilian casualties soar, the U.S. government, European Union, and others are considering sanctions and other measures to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Efforts to mediate peace have been ongoing for months, with limited success. The newly proposed roadmap by President Biden aims to foster a negotiated settlement, including a full ceasefire and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The international community remains hopeful yet cautious, given the entrenched positions of both Israel and Hamas.
