Israeli Forces' Attack Claims Dozens of Lives at al-Fakhoora School in Northern Gaza
Israeli Forces' Attack Claims Dozens of Lives at al-Fakhoora School in Northern Gaza
Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the loss of dozens of lives at the al-Fakhoora School, managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), situated in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 50 individuals lost their lives during the bombing that occurred on Saturday. Numerous individuals sought refuge at the school, escaping the relentless Israeli attacks, indicating that the assault took place during the early morning hours.
Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abou Azzoum reported from Gaza, stating, "Dead bodies are everywhere, and medical teams are striving to evacuate the wounded." With the ongoing conflict due to Israel's ground offensive in northern Gaza, many Palestinians have sought shelter in UN-run schools near the Indonesian Hospital for safety.
Tamara Alrifai, a UNRWA spokesperson, expressed the devastation witnessed in Jabalia post-bombing but highlighted the inability to directly contact colleagues on-site. She emphasized the tragic reality of civilians seeking shelter in a protected UN building paying the ultimate price.
Alrifai highlighted that over half of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants were forced to evacuate southward following Israeli directives to accommodate ground operations in the north, reminiscent of prior displacements.
Despite seeking safety in UNRWA schools, these places are no longer considered safe havens, with 70 buildings being hit, leaving those who sought protection vulnerable.
Excluding the recent attack, Alrifai confirmed 66 casualties in UN-run facilities, underscoring the dire situation faced by those seeking refuge.
The Jabalia refugee camp has endured continuous air raids, alleged by Israel to house Palestinian fighters. Despite condemnations from the UN and regional governments, the deadly bombing campaign persists.
The Israeli military's repeated targeting of schools and UN-run facilities in Gaza has resulted in the loss of over 12,000 Palestinian lives, including many children. The al-Fakhoora School has previously been a target of Israeli airstrikes in 2009, 2014, and earlier this month.
Analogous to the al-Shifa Hospital, which has been under siege since the war's onset, Al Jazeera's Marwan Bishara referred to the al-Fakhoora School as the "al-Shifa of schools" in Gaza, stressing the indiscriminate nature of bombing a place sheltering thousands of individuals, intended to cause damage and suffering.
Bishara emphasized the underlying message conveyed by attacking such densely populated shelters, extending beyond targeting specific factions, expressing an intent to displace, cause harm, and induce fatalities among civilians.
