An Israeli airstrike struck a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City early Saturday, killing at least 80 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. This strike is among the deadliest in the ongoing 10-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli military confirmed the attack on the Tabeen school in central Gaza City, stating that the strike targeted a Hamas command center located within the school. However, Hamas has denied any militant presence at the site.
The Devastating Impact
The strike, which occurred before sunrise, left the school in ruins. Video footage from the scene showed significant destruction: blown-out walls, debris scattered across blood-soaked floors, and damaged vehicles covered in rubble. The al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City reported receiving 70 bodies and the remains of at least 10 others.
Many of the victims were women and children seeking refuge from the war. The health ministry noted that 47 people were wounded, some with severe burns and injuries requiring amputations.
Increased Attacks on Gaza’s Schools
The strike on the Tabeen school is part of a troubling trend of attacks on educational institutions in Gaza, many of which have become shelters for displaced civilians. The U.N. reported 17 attacks on schools in the past month, with seven occurring in just the last eight days. These attacks have reportedly killed 163 people, most of them women and children.
International Reactions and Calls for Accountability
The international community has condemned the strikes on Gaza’s schools. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called the attacks “massacres” and stressed that there is “no justification” for such actions. Egypt, a key mediator in the region, stated that the strike shows Israel has no intention of pursuing a cease-fire, while Qatar demanded an international investigation, labeling the strike a “heinous crime.”
Ongoing Conflict
The war, which began following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in the deaths of over 39,790 Palestinians and injuries to more than 92,000 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The conflict has displaced more than 1.9 million of Gaza’s prewar population of 2.3 million, forcing many into makeshift shelters as they flee the ongoing violence.
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