Emmanuel Ochayi
An Israeli airstrike on a school in the central Gaza Strip has left 28 people dead and more than 50 injured, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. The Rufaida al-Aslamia school, located in the town of Deir al-Balah, was being used as a shelter for displaced families when it was hit by Israeli forces. The incident occurred amidst ongoing military actions between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli military confirmed the airstrike, stating that the school had been targeted because Hamas fighters were operating from a “command-and-control center” within the building. The military described the strike as “precise” and claimed that steps were taken to minimise civilian casualties.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“We understand the tragic consequences, but our forces must respond to threats where they arise,” an Israeli military spokesperson said. “Hamas uses civilian infrastructure to hide their operations, putting innocent lives at risk.”
Civilian Casualties Amid Escalating Conflict
Footage from the aftermath of the airstrike showed chaotic scenes, with civilians rushing to assist the wounded. Smoke and dust filled the air as rescue workers arrived at the scene, while several children were seen receiving medical treatment at the nearby al-Aqsa hospital.
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Gaza’s health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, confirmed the death toll at 28 and condemned the strike. “This is yet another massacre by the Israeli military,” a spokesperson for the ministry said. “They have targeted innocent civilians seeking refuge.”
This latest strike adds to the growing number of civilian casualties in the conflict. Since the start of hostilities in October 2023, Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 42,060 people have been killed. Many schools, including the one targeted in Deir al-Balah, have been used as shelters for Palestinians displaced by the conflict.
Israeli Justification and Hamas Response
The Israeli military has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilian buildings, including schools and hospitals, for military purposes, a claim that Hamas has denied. “Hamas systematically abuses civilian infrastructure,” the Israeli Defense Forces stated. “This tactic is why civilians are caught in the crossfire.”
Hamas, in turn, has blamed Israel for the high civilian death toll, calling the strikes indiscriminate and labeling the Israeli response as “collective punishment.”
An Israeli military official commented, “We are fighting to protect our people. Hamas initiated this war with its attack on southern Israel, where they killed over 1,200 people and took hostages. We will not allow such acts to go unanswered.”
Growing Humanitarian Crisis
As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. Over 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced since the conflict began. Schools, hospitals, and other civilian facilities have been transformed into shelters, but these locations are increasingly becoming targets in the ongoing violence.
International organizations have called for both sides to protect civilians and avoid targeting civilian infrastructure. The UN has warned of a deepening crisis in Gaza, where the population faces shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
“The people of Gaza are in dire need,” said a Red Crescent worker. “They have nowhere to go, and nowhere is truly safe.”
The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, with both Israel and Hamas remaining locked in a violent standoff. As airstrikes and retaliations continue, the toll on civilians is expected to rise.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
