The United Nations has issued a strong condemnation of Israel following an airstrike on a Gaza school that killed 18 people, including six U.N. workers. The incident, which occurred at the Al-Jaouni school in the Nuseirat refugee camp, has intensified international criticism of Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has now lasted nearly a year. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as "totally unacceptable," calling for an immediate halt to what he termed as "dramatic violations of international humanitarian law."
The school, operated by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), was sheltering over 12,000 displaced Palestinians when it was hit. According to Gaza's Civil Defense agency, the airstrike marked the fifth time Israeli forces had targeted the facility. The attack, which also killed children, has been met with outrage from global leaders and humanitarian organizations alike.
Israel's military, however, defended the strike, stating that it was a "precise" operation aimed at Hamas operatives allegedly using the school as a "command and control center." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have taken "numerous steps" to minimize civilian casualties, including using precision munitions and conducting aerial surveillance. Despite these assurances, the IDF did not provide specific evidence to support its claim that Hamas was operating from within the school.
The IDF's spokesman, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, later requested that UNRWA provide the names of the workers killed, suggesting that some of those identified were Hamas members involved in terrorist activities against Israel. This assertion, however, was not substantiated with concrete proof.
The aftermath of the strike was captured on video, showing harrowing scenes of Palestinians retrieving the dead and wounded from the rubble. One particularly poignant image showed a man carrying what appeared to be a small, blood-covered body wrapped in a white shroud. Scattered among the debris were personal belongings, including notebooks and clothing, all stained with blood.
The violence in Gaza has resulted in over 40,900 deaths since October 7, according to local health officials. Israel's offensive was launched in retaliation for Hamas' attacks, which killed 1,200 people and saw around 250 others taken hostage. The conflict has drawn widespread condemnation, with many accusing Israel of disproportionate use of force.
UNRWA has reiterated its demand that schools and other civilian infrastructures be protected, urging all parties to refrain from using such facilities for military purposes. The organization emphasized that the Al-Jaouni school was intended as a safe haven for displaced families, not a target for military action.
The strike on the school is part of a broader pattern of escalating violence in Gaza. Israeli forces have repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructures, claiming that Hamas militants are using them to shield their operations. These actions have raised serious concerns among international observers, who warn that such tactics could constitute war crimes under international law.
As the violence continues, diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire have stalled. Negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have so far failed to produce a truce, with both Israel and Hamas showing little sign of compromise. The U.N. and other international bodies continue to call for an end to the hostilities, but with each passing day, the human toll of the conflict mounts.
