The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) has strongly refuted claims by the Israeli army regarding the presence of Palestinian resistance members in Al-Jaouni School, which was bombed by Israeli aircraft, resulting in dozens of casualties. Hamas labeled these assertions as 'pure lies and deception.'
On Saturday, the Israeli occupation army claimed it targeted Palestinian gunmen inside Al-Jaouni School, a UNRWA-affiliated facility housing displaced people in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. The attack resulted in the deaths of 16 Palestinians and injuries to 50 others. The army stated that the school compound was used as a command headquarters for Hamas militants.
Hamas responded by accusing the Israeli army of attempting to justify its crimes to the public and conceal its true objectives of exterminating the Palestinian people and destroying life in Gaza. The movement emphasized that shelter centers, schools, and UNRWA facilities have been systematically targeted, resulting in hundreds of deaths, including children, women, and the elderly.
The movement called for a clear stance from the international community to condemn the attacks, work to stop them, and hold the perpetrators accountable. Since October 7, the Israeli army has bombed 17 schools and shelters in the Nuseirat refugee camp as part of its ongoing aggression against Gaza.
Palestinians have sought refuge in schools after their homes and residential areas were destroyed. According to Sigrid Kach, Chief Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, there are currently 1.9 million displaced people in the Strip, which has been a war zone for approximately nine months.
In a related incident, the Hamas government's Ministry of Health condemned a 'heinous massacre' after 16 people were killed and 50 injured in an Israeli strike on a UN-run school in the Nousseirat camp. The injured were transferred to the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Hospital. The Israeli army claimed the strike targeted 'several terrorists' using the school as a hideout.
Witnesses described the chaos and fear following the attack. Samah Abou Amsha, who was injured by shrapnel, questioned where they could find safety as children cried and searched through the rubble. Mahmoud Bassal, a Civil Defense spokesperson, declared that there is no safe place in Gaza, denouncing the attack as a massacre.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported that over half of its infrastructure has been affected since the war began. At least 500 people sheltered in UNRWA facilities have been killed, including many women and children. The agency also mourned the loss of two employees killed in Al-Bureij and ten others, including three journalists, in Nousseirat.
As the conflict in Gaza enters its 10th month, diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire have intensified. The war was ignited by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,195 deaths, mostly civilians. Israel, determined to destroy Hamas, launched a major offensive that has claimed 38,098 Palestinian lives, predominantly civilians.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and essential infrastructure destroyed. The international community has been called upon to intervene and bring an end to the violence.
- The UNRWA has been working tirelessly to support the displaced population, but the continuous attacks have severely hampered their efforts. The agency has stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life.
- Diplomatic efforts are crucial at this juncture to broker peace and provide relief to the affected population. The prolonged conflict has caused immense suffering, and a resolution is urgently needed to restore stability and security in the region.
