The United Nations has condemned an Israeli airstrike that hit a school in Gaza, killing at least 18 people, including six UN aid workers, amid an escalating military conflict. The school, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), was being used as a shelter for displaced families when the strike occurred, sparking outrage from international leaders and humanitarian groups.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the attack “totally unacceptable” and emphasized that civilian infrastructure, including schools, must not be targeted. “Humanitarian sites must be protected at all times,” he said in a statement. The European Union and several countries, including Jordan and Germany, also criticized the strike, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stating that the attack violated international humanitarian law.
Israel’s military defended the action, saying it targeted Hamas militants allegedly using the school for military purposes. However, UNRWA officials denied these claims and demanded an independent investigation into the incident. The strike is part of Israel’s broader campaign in Gaza, launched in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel last October, which killed over 1,200 people. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry has reported more than 41,000 deaths from Israeli retaliatory strikes, with most of the victims being women and children.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened significantly, with over 90% of the population facing acute food insecurity, according to the UN. Ongoing bombardments have destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure, exacerbating the crisis for the enclave’s 2.2 million residents.
International calls for a ceasefire have intensified, with the UN urging Israel and Hamas to prioritize civilian protection and humanitarian access. However, efforts to mediate a truce have so far failed to yield results.
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