War in the Middle East - Many UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip hit in attacks
Two-thirds of the UNRWA schools in Gaza, according to the organization, have been hit during attacks. "Some were bombed, many were heavily damaged," wrote UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini on platform X. In the past four days, four schools have been hit. The UN-Refugee Agency operated 284 schools in the closed coastal strip before the war.
Schools in Gaza have become places of education and hope for children in overcrowded refugee camps instead. Now they have turned into a place of death and misery, lamented Lazzarini. "Gaza is not a place for children." He wrote further: "The flagrant disregard for humanitarian law must not become the new norm."
The German Foreign Office also stated on X that it was unacceptable for civilians, who sought shelter in schools, to be killed. "Civilians, especially children, must not be caught in the crossfire." The repeated attacks by the Israeli army on schools must stop and be "thoroughly" investigated, demanded the German Foreign Office.
The UNRWA Chief made no statements about which party attacked the schools. The Israeli military stated that they would check the report. The army has attacked schools several times, according to the military's statement, because they were allegedly used illegally as bases or shields by Hamas or other terrorist organizations.
The military announced late Monday evening that they had attacked terrorists hiding in a school building from the air. The army claimed to have attempted to avoid civilian casualties in the process.
Military raid at UNRWA headquarters
The military also reported that they had conducted an operation against Hamas and PIJ members who were allegedly operating from the UNRWA headquarters. There has been no regular operation of the aid workers there since the start of the war.
"Troops conducted a targeted raid in the building, eliminated terrorists in close combat, and discovered large quantities of weapons in the area," it was stated. The information could not be verified independently at first.
Trigger of the Gaza War was the unprecedented massacre committed by terrorists of Hamas and other extremist groups in Israel on October 7, 2023. (Approx. 1,200 deaths)
- The military's actions in the Palestinian territories, such as attacking schools and headquarters, have raised concerns within the Middle East and international community.
- The Palestinian Relief Organization has urged for an immediate end to the war in the Gaza Strip, citing the severe impact on education and children in UNRWA schools.
- The German government, through its Foreign Office, has strongly condemned the attacks on UNRWA schools in Gaza, calling for a thorough investigation and a ceasefire to protect civilians, especially children.
- The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA) and its Chief Philippe Lazzarini have been advocating for the preservation of schools as safe spaces for education in the midst of the ongoing conflicts in Gaza.
- Despite the documented harm to UNRWA schools and their role in providing education for children, the Israeli military has maintained that Hamas and other terrorist organizations have been using these facilities as bases or shields.
- The repeated attacks on UNRWA schools have led to a call for action from the UN, AA, and other international organizations, urging for respect for humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.
- The Hamas leadership in Gaza has rejected these accusations and has criticized the Israeli military for targeting civilian infrastructure, including schools, causing widespread damage and harm to children and their education.
- The UNRWA schools in Gaza have served as critical educational institutions for generations of Palestinian children, providing them with hope for a better future amidst prolonged conflicts and hardships in the region.
- The ongoing war in Gaza has highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict and the priorities of ensuring the safety, education, and well-being of children and civilians in all involved territories.
