By Correspondent
London, (The Muslim News): At least 100 Palestinians were killed and scores more were injured when Israeli airstrikes hit the prayer hall of Al-Taba’een School in Gaza City, where Palestinians were praying fajr [dawn] prayers, causing widespread damage Saturday.
Approximately 250 displaced Palestinian families, primarily consisting of women, children, and the elderly from Gaza City’s Daraj neighbourhood, were seeking refuge at the school when it was hit by three 2,000-pound bombs without prior warnings.
The Israeli military has asserted that the school was a Hamas headquarters and that “steps were taken to minimise civilian harm.” Israel, as has been in the past, produced no evidence to substantiate its allegations.
However, the Palestinian Government Media Office has denounced the strike as a “massacre” and part of a “broader campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing,” attributing full responsibility to both the Israeli government and the US administration.
The Palestinian National Liberation Movement, Fatah, has described the attack as a “heinous bloody massacre” and an extreme act of terrorism, calling for international intervention to stop the violence.
This incident marks a significant escalation in attacks on educational institutions. Over the past week, six schools in Gaza City have been targeted.
Despite appeals from international mediators, including Egypt, the US, and Qatar, for a ceasefire and negotiations, Israel has persisted with its military operations in the Gaza Strip.
In the aftermath, paramedics and volunteers have been working tirelessly to recover bodies from the debris while combating fires caused by the bombs.
The destruction was severe, with explosive devices packed with nails and shrapnel leading to extensive injuries and fatalities.
In addition to the attack on the school, Israeli forces have targeted other locations, including the Abu Khalifa family home in Jabalia, a tent near al-Mazra’a School, and the Hamada family home in Nuseirat, resulting in further casualties.
At Gaza City’s al-Ahli Arab Hospital, the situation remains dire, with many victims receiving treatment for severe injuries, including deep shrapnel wounds and burns. The hospital faces critical shortages of medical supplies and is forced to use recycled materials for treatment. The difficulty in identifying many of the deceased further adds to the distress experienced by their families.
Since October of the previous year, the ongoing conflict has resulted in nearly 39,700 deaths and over 91,000 injuries.
The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of genocide and ordered a halt to military operations in Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded.
[Photo: Palestinians inspect destroyed building after Israeli bombings at the Et-Tabiin school where displaced people took shelter in the Ed-Deraj neighborhood in Gaza City, Gaza on 10 08, 2024. Photojournalist: Mahmoud İssa/ AA]
