Israel has expanded evacuation orders in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes amid ongoing military operations. This development comes in the wake of a devastating Israeli airstrike on the Al-Tabin school in Gaza, which resulted in at least 93 deaths, including 11 children. The attack occurred during morning prayers, with Palestinian sources reporting that the school was being used as a shelter for displaced civilians.The Israeli military claims that the school was being used as a Hamas command center, stating they had ‘precisely struck Hamas terrorists operating within a Hamas command and control center embedded in the Al Taba’een school’. They released a list of 19 alleged terrorists killed in the attack. However, Hamas and Palestinian officials vehemently deny these claims, insisting that all casualties were civilians.The incident has sparked widespread international condemnation. Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, expressed horror at the attack. The United States has called for a ceasefire and expressed ‘deep concern’ over the incident. Iran has labeled it a ‘genocide and war crime’, while France has urged Israel to respect international humanitarian law.Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, stating that people are ‘trapped’ and have ‘nowhere to go’. The conflict has resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian fatalities since October 2023, according to Gaza health officials, with most being civilians.As tensions continue to escalate, both sides report ongoing strikes and casualties. The Israeli army claims to have struck around 30 Hamas targets in the past 24 hours, while Palestinian sources report continued bombardments across various areas of Gaza. The situation remains highly volatile, with urgent calls for de-escalation and protection of civilians growing louder on the international stage.
Key points
- Israel has expanded evacuation orders in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, forcing tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee.
- An Israeli airstrike on the Al-Tabin school in Gaza killed at least 93 people, including 11 children, sparking international condemnation.
- The Israeli military claims the school was a Hamas command center, while Palestinian sources insist it was sheltering civilians.
- The conflict has resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian fatalities since October 2023, according to Gaza health officials.
Contradictions👾The Israeli military claims the Al-Tabin school was a Hamas command center and released a list of 19 alleged terrorists killed, while Hamas and Palestinian officials insist all casualties were civilians.
