On September 12, 2024, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza resulted in at least 34 Palestinian deaths, including 19 women and children, according to hospital officials. The attacks targeted a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school in the Nuseirat refugee camp, which was being used as a shelter for approximately 12,000 displaced Palestinians, mostly women and children. Six UNRWA staff members, including the shelter manager, were among the casualties.The Israeli military claimed to have targeted Hamas militants, stating that the school was ‘previously used’ as a Hamas command and control center. In a new development, the Israeli military released the names of nine Palestinian militants allegedly killed in the bombing, claiming that three were working for UNRWA. However, UNRWA has denied these claims, stating they are ‘not in a position to comment or verify’ the information.This incident marks the fifth time the school has been targeted since the start of the current conflict in October 2023. The attack has sparked international condemnation, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling it ‘totally unacceptable’ and a violation of international humanitarian law. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to protect humanitarian sites and workers.The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties and economic devastation. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 41,084 Palestinians have been killed and 95,029 wounded since the start of the war. The UN reports an 81% drop in Gaza’s GDP in the last quarter of 2023, with two-thirds of pre-war jobs disappearing.As the conflict enters its 11th month, international efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have stalled. The situation remains dire, with continued attacks, humanitarian crises, and urgent calls for the protection of civilians and infrastructure.
Key points
- Israeli airstrikes on a UNRWA school in Gaza killed at least 34 Palestinians, including 6 UN staff members.
- The Israeli military claims to have targeted Hamas militants, releasing names of alleged militants killed, but UNRWA denies these claims.
- International community, including the UN and US, condemns the attack and calls for protection of humanitarian sites and workers.
- The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian deaths and severe economic devastation in Gaza.
Contradictions👾The Israeli military claims to have targeted Hamas militants in the UNRWA school, but UNRWA and Palestinian officials deny these claims and condemn the attack on civilian infrastructure.
👾The Israeli military released names of alleged militants killed in the strike, including some supposedly working for UNRWA, but UNRWA states they cannot verify this information.
