The ongoing conflict in Gaza took a tragic turn on Wednesday as an Israeli airstrike targeted a school in Jabaliya, serving as a shelter for displaced Palestinians. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 28 individuals, including four children, and left nearly 100 injured. The Gaza Health Ministry’s emergency unit in the north confirmed the devastating toll, stating that fires broke out in the schoolyard tents due to the bombing, adding to the chaos and suffering.
Ambulance teams struggled to reach the school, while some casualties were transferred to a hospital in northern Gaza. The attack highlights the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict.
Israel has been conducting extensive military operations in Jabaliya, an urban refugee camp dating back to the 1948 war, for over a week. The Israeli military has repeatedly called on residents of northern Gaza to evacuate south, and for nearly two weeks at the beginning of the month, they blocked all food aid from entering the region. Despite these actions, Israeli forces have frequently returned to Jabaliya and other areas of Gaza, citing regrouping militants as justification.
In a separate development, the Israeli military is investigating the potential death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in a military operation in Gaza. Citing an Israeli security official, The Associated Press reported that authorities are conducting DNA tests on a body to determine if it belongs to Sinwar.
While the military confirmed the deaths of three militants during operations in Gaza, it refrained from identifying them. However, they acknowledged that they are “checking the possibility” that Sinwar is among the deceased. Sinwar, one of the key figures behind Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, assumed leadership of the group following the assassination of Ismael Haniyeh in July.
The October 7th attack saw Hamas-led militants breach Israel’s security fence and storm into the country, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people, primarily civilians, and the abduction of another 250. Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, who do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The conflict has left vast areas of Gaza destroyed and displaced roughly 90% of its 2.3 million population.
In a move prompted by pressure from the United States, Israel allowed 50 trucks of humanitarian aid into northern Gaza on Wednesday. The US had warned Israel that it risked losing weapon funding if it didn’t step up its aid efforts. Northern Gaza, which has been completely encircled by Israeli forces for nearly a year, has suffered significant destruction and faces dire humanitarian conditions.