The Israeli military's airstrike on a Dar al-Arqam school has resulted in the deaths of at least 27 Palestinians, with mounting casualties reported as Israel expands its offensive in the Gaza Strip, prompting an urgent humanitarian response.
Israeli Airstrike Claims 27 Lives in Gaza School, Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
Israeli Airstrike Claims 27 Lives in Gaza School, Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
The recent airstrike on a Gaza City school shelters thousands of displaced families amid intensifying military actions.
At least 27 Palestinian lives were claimed following an Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza that harbored displaced families, according to reports from the Hamas-controlled health ministry. The incident occurred when the Dar al-Arqam school in northern Gaza’s Tuffah district was hit, resulting in several women and children among the casualties. Witness accounts and local hospital sources indicate numerous casualties, with additional injuries inflicted on dozens of others.
The Israeli military defended the airstrike, stating it targeted "prominent terrorists" allegedly located in a Hamas command center, failing to mention the school's presence. The breathtakingly high civilian toll has raised alarms, as the health ministry reported another 97 fatalities attributed to Israeli strikes in the preceding hours. Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense agency, highlighted that the victims included a heavily pregnant woman and her family.
In related developments, at least 12 more civilians were pronounced dead after Israeli airstrikes on residential structures in Gaza City’s Shejaiya district. Eyewitness accounts detail the chaotic aftermath, with children hurriedly transported to medical facilities due to severe injuries.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) asserted that extensive precautions were taken to minimize civilian harm, emphasizing their operational objective to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure. Meanwhile, the ground offensive has witnessed a significant uptick since the expiration of a ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, aiming to encircle the Rafah area while targeting militant strongholds across Gaza.
As clashes continue, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed a strategy to create a military corridor isolating Rafah from Khan Younis, intending to exert pressure on Hamas regarding captive hostages. However, Hamas dismissed Israel’s proposal for a renewed ceasefire, advocating instead for terms stipulated by Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries.
The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with reports of more than 50,520 casualties in Gaza since the conflict reignited on 7 October 2023. This has prompted urgent calls for aid and a reassessment of ongoing military strategies in light of rising civilian losses. The Israeli military is concurrently facing scrutiny over its actions, including an inquiry into the deaths of Palestinian emergency responders amidst recent raids.
