In a devastating turn of events, the Israeli military’s airstrike on a UN-run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza has resulted in the loss of at least 40 lives, including 14 children and 9 women, and has left over 70 others wounded. The school, which was sheltering thousands of displaced Palestinians, was allegedly targeted based on intelligence that Hamas militants were operating within, a claim that has sparked international outrage and demands for accountability.UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the strike as a ‘horrific example’ of the suffering faced by civilians, emphasizing the need for protection of UN premises during conflicts. The European Union, along with Spain and South Africa, has called for an independent investigation into the attack. Meanwhile, the United States, through State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, has urged Israel to be ‘fully transparent’ about the strike, particularly regarding the reported deaths of children.The conflict, which has persisted for over eight months, has seen nearly 36,600 Palestinians reported dead, mostly women and children, and over 83,000 injured. Despite international efforts to broker peace, including a ceasefire proposal from US President Joe Biden, the violence shows no signs of abating, with neither Israeli nor Hamas leaders willing to back down.
Key points
- Israeli airstrike on UN-run school in Gaza kills at least 40, including children and women.
- UN Secretary-General and international community condemn the attack and call for investigations.
- US demands transparency from Israel regarding the airstrike.
