Israeli airstrikes on schools sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza have killed 48 people, including at least seven children, according to hospital officials. Many more were injured.
One of the strikes hit a school in the Al Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday. Videos showed a large crater and people searching through rubble, tents, and belongings. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital confirmed that 33 people died in that attack, including women and children.
Safaa Al Khaldi, who was staying at the school, said her son was injured. “Our children are starving. They don’t even have bread,” she said. “What did we do wrong?”
The Israeli military (IDF) claimed they were targeting Hamas fighters using the school as a command center, but they did not give more details. One woman at the school angrily shouted that Hamas should not hide among civilians. “What did the children do to deserve this?” she cried. footage showed many wounded people and dead bodies around the school. In one scene, a bloodied child was carried out on a stretcher.
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This strike came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a larger military operation in Gaza. He said civilians would be moved south for their safety. A far-right minister added that Israel may aim to take full control of the territory.
On Wednesday, another strike hit a school in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood, killing at least 15 people and injuring 10. Two more strikes near a busy market in Gaza City killed 33 people and injured at least 85. Videos showed bodies, blood-stained clothes, and people searching for loved ones.
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One heartbreaking video showed a boy calling out for his dead father. Another showed a child’s body lying on the ground, still wearing a pink backpack.
Journalist Yehya Sobeih was among those killed. He had just celebrated the birth of his daughter the day before.
The Israeli army’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, said Israel was moving into “Phase 2” of its operation. He called for strong and continued military action to defeat Hamas.
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Since March 18, more than 2,500 Palestinians have died due to the renewed Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
Healthcare in Gaza is collapsing. The Palestine Red Crescent says nearly half of its clinics have shut down, and the rest have very limited services. The UN also says 21 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are only partially working. Food and medicine are not getting in because of Israel’s blockade.
A woman near one of the recent strike sites hugged her crying daughter, who said all her friends were killed. “My friend Leen is gone, Yousra is gone, Miral is gone,” she sobbed.
The UN warns of a growing humanitarian crisis and reminds all sides that civilians must be protected and given access to basic needs like food, water, shelter, and healthcare.
