Gaza Watch: Israeli Attack on UNRWA Run School

By Legal Wires 3 Minutes Read

An Israeli airstrike on a UNRWA-run school Al-Jaouni in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 35 displaced people, including 14 children. The school was sheltering around 6,000 people at the time of the attack. The Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported 29 fatalities, including five Palestinian journalists.

The UNRWA and other humanitarian agencies have condemned the strike, highlighting the dire conditions and increasing humanitarian crises in Gaza, including the threat of disease outbreaks due to the collapse of basic services​.

The Israeli military conducted a “precision” operation against Hamas militants believed to be inside a school, according to their statement.

UNRWA’s senior communications manager, Jonathan Fowler, said that they cannot verify these claims. The school is operated by the UN agency. He said, “What we have said is that attacking, targeting or using UN buildings [for] any kind of military purposes is a blatant disregard of international humanitarian law. International humanitarian law applies to all parties in all conflicts, including this one.”

Since the beginning of the Israeli military offensive in October 2023, schools in Gaza have been serving as shelters for internally displaced people.

Fowler stated that the agency has strict protocols to prevent any soldiers or militants from using its facilities. He said, “The protection of UN staff, premises, and operations is non-negotiable.”

He highlighted the importance of focusing on the fact that the school, which housed 6,000 displaced people, was hit during the incident.

Since October 2023, at least 38,098 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israeli attacks in Gaza. The besieged area is now experiencing severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and other essential humanitarian supplies.

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