Tragedy in Gaza: Israeli Airstrike Kills 22, Including 13 Children
Photo--- BBC
22 September 2024 - 07:32
An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people in the Zeitoun neighborhood has resulted in the deaths of at least 22 Palestinians, including 13 children. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, also claimed the lives of six women and an unborn child, according to the government media office in Gaza.
The statement described the incident as a "horrific massacre," noting that many of the victims were orphaned children and widowed women who had already lost family members in previous airstrikes. The victims had gathered at the school to receive financial assistance, hoping to buy essential supplies amid the ongoing conflict.
The attack also injured approximately 30 individuals, including nine children. Witnesses reported that the strike hit the Asqoula area of Zeitoun, causing significant casualties among those seeking refuge in the school.
A medical source at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital confirmed that the injured were transported there following the strike, which has drawn international attention. The Israeli army acknowledged targeting the school, claiming it was being used as a "command and control center" by Hamas.
The airstrike comes amid a relentless Israeli offensive in Gaza that has persisted since a Hamas attack last October, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. Local health authorities report that nearly 41,400 people, predominantly women and children, have been killed, with over 95,700 injured since the conflict escalated.
The ongoing military actions have displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, exacerbated by a blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies. The situation remains dire as humanitarian needs continue to grow amid escalating violence.