At least 25 people were killed in a devastating Israeli airstrike on a school converted into a refugee shelter in southern Gaza. Palestinian officials confirmed it and an AP reporter counted the bodies. The attack hit displaced families in front of a school in Abasan, east of Khan Yunis, a city that is currently almost completely destroyed, from which thousands of people are fleeing. The strike, which took place during an intensified military offensive in the region, drew widespread condemnation, criticism of Israel’s actions and further calls for an investigation into civilian casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the airstrike targeted a member of the armed wing of Hamas who was supposed to have participated in the terrorist attack on October 7 last year. However, reports state that the area was densely populated at the time of the strike, with thousands of people seeking refuge nearby, and it must have been clear that any airstrike would result in civilian casualties. Additionally, witnesses testified that no prior warning was given before the attack. The following video also caught the attack, we warn you that the footage is drastic.
Al Jazeera releases the video of the actual moment the israelis chose to bomb Awda school in Abasan in Khan Yunis: they were playing football pic.twitter.com/UjY3BPxeTl
— Sarah Wilkinson (@swilkinsonbc) July 9, 2024
The ongoing conflict, characterized by intensified military operations and clashes between Israeli forces and militant groups, primarily Hamas and Islamic Jihad, has caused a significant loss of civilian life.
International mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and the US, have been actively involved in brokering peace talks between the warring parties, but still without results. Despite some progress, an eventual truce seems a long way off. At the same time, it must be said that with the loss of civilian lives in Gaza, Israel’s reputation abroad is also suffering. The tragic loss of life and the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza underscore the urgent need for all parties to prioritize peace and dialogue to prevent further suffering and bloodshed.
The conflict in Gaza is escalating, civilian casualties continue to rise, the territory is plagued by famine and massive destruction of infrastructure. Estimates of casualties on the Palestinian side are around 38,000 dead and more than 80,000 injured. On the contrary, in the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, 1,200 Israelis were killed and 120 of them are still in the captivity of Hamas.
Source: zpravy.tiscali.cz
