Israeli forces have come under scrutiny following a deadly airstrike on a U.N. school in Gaza that killed around 40 people. Experts have confirmed that U.S.-made munitions were used in the attack, raising questions about international military aid and the ethics of collateral damage.
On Thursday, Israeli fighter jets targeted a U.N. school in the Nuseirat refugee camp using precision weapons. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they aimed to eliminate militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, allegedly operating from the school premises. However, the facility was also a refuge for thousands of Palestinian civilians displaced by ongoing conflict.
According to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, 33 people were killed in the attack, a revision from an earlier figure of 40 reported by Gaza's Ministry of Health. Among the casualties were nine children, three women, and 21 men. Discrepancies in the death toll figures highlight the chaos and difficulties of obtaining accurate information in conflict zones.
Eyewitness footage showed the warhead of a GBU-39 small-diameter bomb manufactured by Boeing, which was later verified by multiple weapon experts. Photos of the bomb fragments linked them to Woodward HRT, a California-based weapons components manufacturer. This type of munition is designed to penetrate concrete and minimize collateral damage thanks to its unique structure.
The incident has drawn widespread international condemnation, with U.S. State Department spokesman Matt Miller calling for full transparency regarding the attack. The Biden administration previously reported that Israel might have violated international law by using U.S. weapons in Gaza, but conclusive evidence remains elusive.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 36,000 casualties since the conflict escalated on October 7. IDF operations have intensified in the central Gaza Strip, claiming to target Hamas militants. However, the rising toll of civilian casualties has spurred urgent calls for humanitarian aid and ceasefires.
Al-Aqsa Hospital is nearing collapse under the strain of treating the influx of injured civilians. Medical aid groups have expressed the dire need for medical supplies and equipment. U.N. officials have also condemned the attack, stating that over 170 U.N. facilities in Gaza have been targeted since the conflict began, many serving as emergency shelters.
The attack on the Nuseirat school has been described as a 'horrific massacre' by the Ministry of Health in Gaza, with survivors recounting chilling scenes of devastation. The IDF justified the operation stating that they took measures to avoid civilian casualties but ultimately aimed to eliminate imminent threats from Hamas militants.
- An analysis by CNN revealed this to be the second instance in two weeks where U.S.-manufactured munitions were verified in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. Previous strikes, like the one on a displaced persons' camp in Rafah, have also involved U.S. weapons, further fueling debates on international arms sales and military accountability.
- Eyewitnesses described the aftermath of the attack as 'frightening,' with bodies scattered amid the rubble and survivors frantically searching for loved ones. Basic necessities like food, blankets, and baby diapers were found amongst the debris, indicating the civilian nature of the occupants.
- The ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Gaza militants has led to repeated calls for investigations into potential violations of international humanitarian law. The high level of civilian casualties in densely populated areas like refugee camps underscores the complexities and moral dilemmas surrounding modern warfare.
