At least 17 Palestinians have died, including nine minors, in an Israeli bombing of a school housing displaced people in the Nuseirat refugee camp, in the center of the Strip, as confirmed by the Hamas Gaza government.
The attack has also injured more than 50 people, although the number may rise, as warned at the Al Awda hospital in Nuseirat, which received the first victims.
“The occupation army knew that the Al Suhada school hosted thousands of displaced people, and that most of them were children and women who had to leave their homes due to bombings in their civilian neighborhoods,” the Executive indicated.
For its part, the Israeli Army reported that the school “was a Hamas command and control center” used in the past to “plan and execute terrorist attacks against Israeli troops and the State of Israel.”
The bombing occurred after noon this Thursday, against the Al Suhada school in Nuseirat, which housed hundreds of displaced people.
More than fifty deaths in one day
In the last few hours, artillery attacks have also been reported in Bureij, a camp in the center of the Strip near Nuseirat, with one death confirmed so far.
In Khan Yunis, in the south of the Strip, an Israeli attack on a house has so far caused three deaths.
Emergency services sources have confirmed 29 deaths throughout the Strip in Israeli attacks since dawn this Thursday, 23 of them in the center and south of the enclave.
In addition, at least 55 Palestinians died and 132 were injured in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours due to the Israeli offensive, which for twenty days has been attacking the cities of Beit Lahia and Jabalia, in the north of the enclave.
After 384 days of war, which began on October 7, 2023, the dead in Gaza amount to 42,847 and the wounded to 100,544, according to data from the Ministry of Health of the Strip, controlled by Hamas, which estimates that there are also about 10,000. bodies trapped under the rubble.
Jerusalem / EFE
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**Interview with Dr. Amira Khalil, Human Rights Advocate in Gaza**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khalil. Can you provide us with more details about the recent bombing of the Al Suhada school in Nuseirat?
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. The recent bombing is a heartbreaking tragedy that has claimed the lives of at least 17 Palestinians, including nine children. The school was serving as a refuge for those displaced by ongoing conflict, and this attack highlights the urgent need for protection of civilians in such situations.
**Editor:** The Hamas government has confirmed these casualties. Have local authorities provided any further insights into the impacts of this attack?
**Dr. Khalil:** Yes, according to the Al Awda hospital, over 50 individuals have been reported injured, and that number may sadly increase as more victims are found. Hospitals are already under immense strain due to the ongoing conflict, and this recent escalation presents further challenges.
**Editor:** The Israeli Army claims that the school was reportedly used as a Hamas command center. How do you respond to this assertion?
**Dr. Khalil:** While both sides have their narratives, the immediate reality is that civilians are suffering the most. The Israeli military’s stated justification does not lessen the tragedy of the loss of innocent lives, especially children. It’s crucial for all parties to ensure that civilians are protected and not targeted, regardless of the context.
**Editor:** What steps do you believe should be taken in light of this attack?
**Dr. Khalil:** Immediate steps must include a ceasefire and an end to military operations in civilian areas. International bodies must put immense pressure on both sides to adhere to humanitarian laws and protocols. Furthermore, there needs to be a concerted effort to provide aid and support for displaced families who have lost their homes and loved ones.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Khalil, for your insights during this incredibly distressing time.
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for highlighting these critical issues. It’s important that we keep the focus on the human impact of this conflict.
There been any official statements regarding the circumstances surrounding the bombing from the Israeli side?
**Dr. Khalil:** Yes, the Israeli Army has released a statement claiming that the Al Suhada school was being used as a Hamas command and control center. However, many human rights organizations and local officials contest this assertion, emphasizing that the school was known to be housing displaced families, predominantly women and children, who have already suffered immensely due to the ongoing violence.
**Editor:** With reports of over 50 people injured, how are local hospitals coping with this influx of casualties?
**Dr. Khalil:** The situation is dire. Hospitals like Al Awda in Nuseirat are struggling to keep up with the overwhelming number of injured. Medical supplies are critically low, and the medical staff is exhausted. Many are working around the clock under harrowing conditions to save lives. The urgent need for humanitarian aid is increasingly pressing.
**Editor:** The conflict seems to be escalating further, with reports of additional airstrikes. What do you see as the immediate impacts on the population in Gaza?
**Dr. Khalil:** The immediate impacts are devastating. With increased bombings, more homes are being destroyed, and families are being displaced again. Psychological trauma among children is escalating, and the death toll continues to rise—over 42,000 lives lost so far. The continuous cycle of violence is leaving a deep, lasting scar on the population, which has already faced years of hardship.
**Editor:** What steps can be taken internationally to prevent further civilian casualties in such conflicts?
**Dr. Khalil:** Immediate international pressure for a ceasefire is essential. Additionally, the protection of civilians must be emphasized in discussions regarding military actions in conflict zones. Humanitarian corridors should be established to allow aid and relief efforts to reach those who need it, and there must also be accountability for those perpetrating violence against innocent civilians. International bodies need to step in to advocate for the rights and safety of vulnerable populations.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Khalil, for shedding light on this tragic event and the broader implications for the people in Gaza. Your insights are invaluable.
**Dr. Khalil:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we continue to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza and advocate for peace and justice.
