An Israeli airstrike on a central Gaza school being used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians resulted in the death of 14 people, including six UN staff members. The Hamas-run territory’s civil defence agency confirmed the casualties, with the UN describing it as the highest death toll among its staff in a single incident. The attack targeted a Hamas command-and-control center on the school grounds, according to Israel’s military.
The UN Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, said the school had been hit multiple times during the ongoing conflict and housed around 12,000 displaced people, mostly women and children. The Hamas government media office reported that about 5,000 individuals were seeking shelter at the school. The strike also injured at least 18 others.
The Israeli military defended its actions, stating that precision weapons were used and measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties. However, the UN secretary-general António Guterres labeled the situation in Gaza as “totally unacceptable” and expressed shock at the loss of humanitarian workers. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian fatalities, with international efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas repeatedly faltering.
Hamas has indicated its readiness to implement an immediate ceasefire based on a previous US proposal without any new conditions. However, issues such as control of the Philadelphi corridor remain unresolved. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted on retaining control of the strategic corridor. The conflict continues to escalate, with tragic consequences for civilians on both sides.
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