Grim details emerge of Israeli airstrikes on a UN-run school in Gaza, killing 30 Palestinians sheltering there

On Wednesday, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted a school in Al Bureij, Gaza, that was sheltering around 2,000 displaced people. The initial strike occurred at approximately 6 PM on Tuesday, followed by a second airstrike later that night. The agency stated that the school sustained critical damage, resulting in fires that complicated the evacuation of casualties, prompting residents to cut through walls to escape (UNRWA to UN News). This incident is part of a larger pattern, with reports indicating that over 400 schools have been directly struck since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023, which has seen an escalating death toll and widespread destruction in the Gaza region. UN satellite imagery has revealed that a staggering 95.4% of schools have suffered damage amid the ongoing hostilities (UN satellite service, UNOSAT). Footage shared by UN agencies depicted the aftermath of the strikes with walls blown out and a chaotic scene in the courtyard, where survivors were sifting through debris to recover their belongings amongst the bodies of their loved ones. UNRWA detailed that among the fatalities from this attack were women and children, emphasizing that ongoing search operations were still underway for missing individuals. Many of those affected were reported to have been displaced multiple times due to the incessant violence. Further exacerbating the situation, UN head Volker Türk condemned Israeli plans to forcibly relocate Gaza’s population, asserting concerns that these actions aim to make life untenable for Palestinians in the enclave. The UN’s human rights chief argued that continued military strategies are unlikely to lead to any resolution and would, instead, exacerbate civilian injuries and fatalities (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights statement). Internationally, there is mounting pressure for immediate action. UN-appointed independent human rights experts warned of what they described as escalating atrocities that underscore a moral imperative for global intervention. As debates ensue regarding whether the term 'genocide' applies to the situation, the civilian suffering continues unabated, impacting children and vulnerable populations (human rights experts' statement). Meanwhile, in the West Bank, a direct correlation between growing violence and the demolition of Palestinian structures by Israeli forces has been highlighted by UN aid teams who documented the destruction of over 30 buildings in just one area. This creates further insecurity for Palestinians amidst a backdrop of increasing military operations and displacement. This reporting reflects a critical humanitarian crisis where international engagement is urgently needed. The stated actions by Israeli forces and the realities on the ground point toward systemic risks of forced population transfers, thus raising serious questions regarding compliance with international humanitarian law and the obligations of an occupying power to protect civilians within its jurisdiction.