Israeli airstrike kills 14 at UN school in Gaza

On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike struck a U.N. school in central Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 individuals, including two children. The school was sheltering displaced Palestinian families amid ongoing conflict. Hospital officials reported that the casualties included a woman and two children, with at least 18 others injured. One of the deceased children was identified as the daughter of a civil defense agency member, who had not seen her for 10 months due to the war's displacements. The Israeli military claimed the airstrike targeted Hamas militants allegedly planning attacks from within the school, located in the Nuseirat refugee camp. However, this assertion could not be independently verified. The school, known as the al-Jaouni Boys Preparatory School, has been previously struck multiple times during the ongoing conflict, which has seen extensive damage to educational facilities across Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, with tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced and living in schools. A survey indicated that over 90% of school buildings in Gaza have suffered severe or partial damage due to airstrikes, and more than half of the schools housing displaced individuals have been hit. The ongoing military campaign has resulted in a staggering death toll, with the Health Ministry reporting over 41,000 Palestinian fatalities since its inception. Israel's military actions are framed as efforts to dismantle Hamas following a deadly attack on October 7, which resulted in significant Israeli casualties. The conflict has raised concerns about civilian safety and the impact on humanitarian conditions in the region, as the cycle of violence continues to escalate.