An Israeli strike on the al-Jaouni school in Gaza that killed 18 people, including six workers from the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), has sparked global condemnation. The attack, which flattened part of the school in Nuseirat, has drawn strong reactions from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the European Union, and other international leaders. The strike, which also resulted in the deaths of women and children, has been described as “totally unacceptable” and a violation of international humanitarian law.
The director general of the World Health Organization has also condemned the attack, calling for an end to the violence in Gaza. This incident is not the first time a UN-run shelter has been targeted in the conflict, raising concerns about the safety of such facilities for displaced families. The Israeli military has defended the strike, claiming that the school was being used by Hamas fighters and was therefore a “legitimate target”. However, the UNRWA has refuted these claims, stating that it had not been provided with evidence by the Israeli military and had repeatedly called for civilian facilities to be spared from military activities.
The tragic event at the al-Jaouni school highlights the ongoing violence in Gaza and the toll it is taking on innocent civilians. The UNRWA has reported that at least 220 of its staff members have been killed in the conflict, emphasizing the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and for all parties involved to respect the principles of international law and protect civilian lives.
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