At least 45 Palestinians were killed on Monday in a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, including 33 people sheltering at a school that had been converted into a refuge for displaced civilians. The Israeli military claims the building was being used as a command center by Hamas and harbored “leading terrorists.”
Devastation at School-Turned-Shelter
- The targeted building was struck three times overnight while people were asleep, causing a massive fire that spread rapidly through the shelter.
- Graphic videos circulating online show charred bodies and rescuers pulling victims from the rubble, highlighting the human toll of the renewed violence.
- Health officials in Gaza say many of the victims were women and children.
Other Strikes Across Gaza
- Jabalia (North Gaza): 7 killed in airstrikes.
- Central Gaza (tent camps): 2 killed, including a seven-month pregnant woman.
- Deir el-Balah, Beit Lahia, and Khan Yunis also reported casualties from strikes.
Renewed Israeli Offensive
The strikes come amid a renewed offensive by Israel, which insists it will pursue the “total defeat of Hamas”, following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations. Military operations have intensified even as international efforts to broker peace have stalled.
International Outrage
- The European Union has warned Israel of potential diplomatic consequences if it fails to lift the blockade and allow unrestricted humanitarian access.
- The Spanish Foreign Ministry called for sanctions on those “who want to ruin the two-state solution forever.”
- Aid groups, including the World Food Programme (WFP), say the situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels.
Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
- COGAT, the Israeli defense body overseeing civilian aid, said 107 trucks of humanitarian supplies were sent to Gaza.
- However, aid agencies argue this is woefully inadequate, as much of the aid is looted before reaching those in need.
- Clean water, medical supplies, and food remain dangerously scarce across the Strip.
What’s Next?
With ceasefire talks deadlocked and civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict, the international community faces growing pressure to intervene diplomatically and ensure humanitarian relief. Meanwhile, calls for accountability over strikes on civilian infrastructure continue to grow louder.
This latest escalation adds to the already dire toll from the months-long war, pushing Gaza further into a state of unlivable devastation.
