Israel’s Escalating Assault on Gaza Schools: Understanding the Conflict
Last week, the world was shocked as more than 100 people were killed in Gaza City after Israel targeted a school sheltering displaced Palestinians. The United Nations condemned Israel for intensifying attacks on schools in the region, sparking global outrage. The incident at al-Talbin School during dawn prayers left paramedics describing the scene as horrific, with bodies ripped to pieces. Israel claimed that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters were using the school as a base, a claim that Hamas vehemently denied.
This attack is just one in a series of assaults on Gaza’s educational institutions by Israeli forces. Israel has repeatedly targeted schools, hospitals, and universities, alleging that these buildings are being used for military purposes without providing concrete evidence. However, under the Fourth Geneva Convention, schools are considered civilian objects and should be protected from attacks. Despite this, Israeli forces have continued to strike schools in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians.
Subheadings: Attacks on Schools in August
Throughout the month of August, Israeli forces carried out a series of deadly attacks on schools in Gaza, resulting in the loss of many innocent lives. The Dalal al-Mughrabi School was hit on August 1, killing at least 15 people and injuring over 29. Two days later, strikes on Hamama and al-Huda schools claimed the lives of 17 individuals and wounded more than 60. On August 4, Nassr and Hassan Salameh schools in the Nassr neighborhood were targeted, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people and injuries to 19 others. The violence continued on August 8 when Abdul Fattah Hamouda and az-Zahra schools were bombed, killing 17 individuals and injuring dozens more. The most devastating attack occurred at al-Tabin School, which was hit by at least three missile strikes, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
The UN’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, strongly condemned the attacks on schools, accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people. She highlighted the systematic targeting of schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and other civilian infrastructure in Gaza, using weapons supplied by the US and European countries. The international community has called for an immediate end to the violence and for accountability for those responsible for these atrocities.
Previous Israeli Attacks on Schools
The assault on schools in Gaza is not a new phenomenon, as Israeli forces have a history of targeting educational institutions in the region. In July, a cluster campaign aimed at school shelters across the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of nearly 50 people within a week. The widespread destruction of school buildings has had a devastating impact on the education system in Gaza, with almost 85% of schools damaged and in need of repairs.
According to data compiled by UNICEF, as of July 6, 564 schools in Gaza had been directly hit or damaged by Israeli attacks. In North Gaza, 95 school buildings were affected, while Gaza City saw 208 schools damaged or destroyed. Deir el-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah also experienced significant damage to their school infrastructure, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. The targeting of schools not only violates international law but also deprives children of their right to education and a safe learning environment.
Are Attacks on Schools in Gaza Increasing?
There has been a disturbing trend of escalating attacks on school shelters in Gaza by Israeli forces, putting the lives of thousands of displaced Palestinians at risk. Data from UNICEF shows a fivefold increase in the number of directly hit schools from November onwards, with the total number of children killed during the conflict rising to over 16,500. The death toll in Gaza has reached nearly 40,000, highlighting the devastating impact of the ongoing violence on the civilian population.
The continued targeting of school shelters comes at a critical time when calls for a ceasefire and an end to the assault on Gaza are growing louder. Despite international efforts to broker a peace deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has been accused of sabotaging negotiations by persisting in its military campaign. Analysts warn that Israel’s use of disproportionate force and indiscriminate attacks risk prolonging the conflict and causing further harm to innocent civilians.
The strategic objectives behind Israel’s military tactics have come under scrutiny, with critics accusing the government of prioritizing destruction over peace. Tariq Kenney-Shawa, a policy fellow at Al-Shabaka, points out that massive attacks on Gaza serve Israel’s wider strategy of deterrence through unparalleled destruction. By targeting schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure, Israel seeks to weaken Hamas and assert its dominance in the region, regardless of the human cost.
In Conclusion,
The escalating assault on Gaza schools by Israeli forces is a blatant violation of international law and a grave injustice against the Palestinian people. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has resulted in the loss of countless lives and widespread destruction. The international community must act swiftly to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to protect the rights of the Palestinian population. Only through a concerted effort to end the violence and address the root causes of the conflict can lasting peace and justice be achieved in the region.
