Israeli airstrike on Gaza school kills 22 civilians

On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school in the Zeitoun area of Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 individuals, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry. The attack also left around 30 people injured. The Israeli military claimed that the strike was aimed at a Hamas command center located within the school compound, asserting that Hamas frequently uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes, which they argue violates international law. This incident is part of a broader pattern of strikes on schools in Gaza, where many civilians have sought refuge due to ongoing military operations and evacuation orders. Earlier in the month, another strike on a school in the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in 14 fatalities, with the military justifying its actions by alleging that Hamas militants were planning attacks from these locations. The conflict escalated following a deadly attack by Hamas on October 7, which killed approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel, predominantly civilians. In the aftermath, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. The situation remains dire, with many civilians caught in the crossfire and facing severe humanitarian challenges. Additionally, on the same day as the school strike, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that five of its workers were killed and five others injured due to Israeli fire that hit ministry warehouses in the southern Musbah area. The ongoing violence has led to heightened tensions in the region, with recent airstrikes in Lebanon further complicating the situation. As the conflict continues, the international community is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian impact on civilians in Gaza and the surrounding areas. The cycle of violence raises questions about the effectiveness of military strategies that target civilian infrastructure and the long-term consequences for peace and stability in the region.