AT LEAST 12 Palestinians were killed and a number of others were injured after Israeli troops bombed a school that was being used as a shelter for refugees. The Gaza Civil Defense Agency said the attack took place at a school in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City.
Since dawn, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed 27 Palestinians, including 19 in the northern region, where an Israeli military siege has been going on for more than a month.
Medics said at least 30 people were injured in the bombing at the Shati Boys’ Primary School linked to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
Israel earlier this week officially informed the UN about severing ties with UNRWA.
Deir el-Balah in Central Gaza reported that Israeli forces have been targeting densely populated homes and shelters in northern Gaza for weeks.
“UN shelters and schools are currently the only places where Palestinians are staying and seeking refuge because their homes have been bombed,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary.
“How can people on this planet survive, with no food, no water, no medicine, no aid, and also constant bombing and shelling? These Palestinian people are trapped under endless fire. Israeli fire and endless artillery,” he continued.
The Israeli genocide in Gaza which began in October last year has killed at least 43,469 Palestinians and injured 102,561 others. Most of them are women and children.
The war in Gaza began soon after the Palestinian group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing at least 1,139 people, according to an Al Jazeera tally based on Israeli statistics.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military on Thursday issued forced evacuation orders for several areas in northern Gaza, which Palestinian fighters claimed had launched rockets.
“We inform you that the designated area is considered a dangerous combat zone. For your safety, move south immediately,” Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X.
Palestinians in the northern region have been forcibly evacuated several times, giving rise to a constant feeling of displacement. The Israeli army has also repeatedly targeted areas they call safe zones.
Israeli tanks advanced on Beit Lahia in northern Gaza as drones broadcast evacuation orders. This was also conveyed via social media and via text messages on residents’ phones.
One resident said that after Israeli forces drove most of the Palestinians out of Jabalia, they also bombed everywhere, killing people on the streets and in their homes to force everyone out.
Palestinian officials say Israel is carrying out ethnic cleansing against Palestinians by blocking aid to Jabalia, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoon since the siege in northern Gaza began last month.
The Israeli military claimed that it had to evacuate Jabalia and began evacuating Beit Lahia in order to fight Hamas fighters who it claimed had regrouped there.
The army also rejected reports that it was not allowing aid to be sent to the enclave.
It was reported that 300 aid trucks from the United Arab Emirates have arrived at the port of Ashdod and will be sent to Gaza via the Beit Hanoon (Erez) crossing in the north and the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing in the south.
However, UN aid agencies have repeatedly said the amount of aid coming into Gaza is not enough to meet the needs of Palestinians who, before the war, had an average of 500 truckloads of aid coming in every day. (Al Jazeera/Z-2)
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**Title: Understanding the Tragedy in Gaza: An Interview with Human Rights Expert Dr. Samira Al-Hadid**
**Editor: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Al-Hadid. The recent bombing of a school used as a shelter for refugees in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians. What are your thoughts on this incident?**
**Dr. Al-Hadid:** Thank you for having me. This bombing is yet another tragic example of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Schools and shelters are meant to protect civilians, especially the most vulnerable—women and children—yet they have become targets in this conflict. Such acts raise serious questions regarding international law and the protection of civilians in times of war.
**Editor: You mentioned international law. How do these attacks fit into the larger legal framework regarding armed conflict?**
**Dr. Al-Hadid:** Under international humanitarian law, targeting civilian infrastructure, including schools and shelters, is prohibited unless they are being used for military purposes. The situation is particularly dire in Gaza, where the civilian population has been trapped and is struggling to access basic necessities like food, water, and medical care. The constant shelling intensifies their suffering.
**Editor: The situation in Gaza has been described as catastrophic, with reports of a significant number of casualties and injuries. How can the international community respond effectively?**
**Dr. Al-Hadid:** Immediate intervention is crucial. The international community must prioritize diplomacy and push for a ceasefire. Moreover, humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in need without restrictions. The recent severance of ties between Israel and UNRWA complicates this effort, as UNRWA provides essential services and support to Palestinian refugees. It’s vital that we call on global leaders to advocate for humanitarian corridors and an end to the violence.
**Editor: Given the scale of the casualties among women and children, how do you see the future for these populations in Gaza?**
**Dr. Al-Hadid:** The future is very uncertain and grim. With more than 43,000 lives lost since the beginning of this conflict and a majority being women and children, the psychological and physical toll will last for generations. The society that emerges from this will require immense support and rebuilding, both in terms of infrastructure and mental health resources.
**Editor: What do you believe is the most important message to convey about this ongoing conflict?**
**Dr. Al-Hadid:** It’s crucial for individuals to understand the human cost of this conflict. Beyond political narratives, these are real lives being devastated. We must advocate for peace, prioritize humanitarian rights, and support those suffering the most: the civilians caught in the crossfire. Awareness and action can bring about change, and every voice matters.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Al-Hadid, for sharing your insights on this desperate situation. We hope for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and dignity of the Palestinians in Gaza.
**Dr. Al-Hadid:** Thank you for highlighting these critical issues.
