Israel claims attack on UN school in Gaza Strip as Hamas "bastion"
Israeli warplanes targeted and destroyed a Hamas stronghold situated within a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) run school, declared the Israeli army. The military explained that these militant groups were utilizing the school grounds to direct their attacks on civilians.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah shared that at least 37 individuals lost their lives during this invasion. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini expressed dismay, mentioning that the building was struck "suddenly, without warning". Typical of these UN-Palestinian aid agencies, the school served as a sanctuary for locals displaced by the Gaza Strip fighting.
Reporters from news agency AFP inspected the wreckage left by the attack. In their assessment, the structure had sustained widespread damage which included the destruction of walls. Off the floor, carpets, ceilings, and mattresses were seen adorned with blood spots.
For months, Israeli officials have been accusing Hamas of employing civilians as human shields and also utilizing civilian institutions such as hospitals and schools to construct their infrastructure. However, Hamas denies these claims.
Alongside the school bombing, a refugee camp in Nuseirat was reported as being subjected to artillery fire. A doctor working at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital revealed that six people had been fatally wounded in this assault. Eyewitnesses relayed that parts of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza were once more exposed to shelling. The army insisted they had killed three militants attempting to penetrate the security fence between Gaza and Israel.
The Israeli military has been locked into conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since 7th October. The conflict was initiated by a severe Hamas attack on Israel. This incident left 1194 casualties, according to Israeli data, with 251 abductions taking place in the Gaza Strip.
Since the start of the war, crossfire has been occurring almost daily between the Israeli military and the Lebanese militia, Hisbollah, which supports Hamas. These skirmishes have intensified over the past few days. In retaliation of a drone attack on the Israeli border town of Hurfeish carried out by the pro-Iranian Hisbollah, a soldier from Israel was killed, said the Israeli army.
Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, had previously threatened with a "far-reaching offensive" on the border with Lebanon. The United States warned of a potential escalation in the region.
A ceasefire plan backed by US President Joe Biden is currently being negotiated in the Gaza Strip. Egyptian media reports suggest a positive reaction from the Hamas leadership, with a response from them "expected in the near future". This agreement will involve a weapons truce, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of hostages.
On behalf of 17 countries, including the United States, Germany, and member states of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and South American nations, a joint statement was issued. The tone was one of urgency, demanding "Hamas to bring the agreement to a close." The countries expressed the desire, "The war must finally come to an end, and this agreement is the initial step." Additionally, the leaders exhorted both the Israeli government and Hamas to "make all the required final concessions for such an agreement."
Finally, Spain joined South Africa's case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over accusations of "genocide" in the Gaza Strip. Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares described the motive for this action as halting the war and initiating advancement towards a two-state solution. Just days prior, Spain recognized a Palestinian state.2.
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- The Israeli army defended their attack on the UN school, claiming it was a Hamas "base" where attacks on civilians were being directed.
- Despite the destruction, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah reported that 37 individuals had died as a result of the attack on the UNRWA school.
- The UNRWA chief, Philippe Lazzarini, expressed disappointment that the school had been struck "suddenly, without warning," as it was serving as a sanctuary for displaced locals.
- Reporters from AFP found blood spots on carpets and mattresses in the wreckage of the school, indicating a violent attack had taken place.
- Hamas denies using civilian institutions such as schools and hospitals for their infrastructure, but Israeli officials continue to accuse them of doing so.
- Meanwhile, a refugee camp in Nuseirat was also subjected to artillery fire, leaving six individuals dead and parts of the city of Rafah exposed to shelling.
- The Israeli military has been in conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7th, leaving 1194 casualties and 251 abductions according to Israeli data.
- The conflict has also resulted in daily crossfire between the Israeli military and the Lebanese militia, Hezbollah, which supports Hamas, leading to intense skirmishes.
- The United States has warned of a potential escalation in the region and is currently negotiating a ceasefire plan in the Gaza Strip, with Hamas expected to respond in the near future.
