An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering orphans in central Gaza resulted in the death of at least one child and left 15 other Palestinians wounded, as reported by health officials. The aftermath in Deir al-Balah showed the devastating impact of the attack, with concrete walls blasted apart and young boys trying to salvage torn books, rucksacks, water bottles, and canned food.
One survivor recounted being awoken by the blast in the middle of the night, frantically searching for her son and daughter. The mother, identified as Asma, expressed shock at the tragedy, emphasizing that the room was solely occupied by children. She described finding her children covered in blood amidst the rubble.
The Israeli military claimed that the airstrike targeted terrorists operating within a command-and-control center at the school. While the statement could not be independently verified, the IDF has previously accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure for its operations, leading to strikes on multiple schools in Gaza.
Disturbing footage showed numerous injured children from the attack being treated at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Relief workers have raised concerns about the impact of Israel's military campaign on children in Gaza, with UNICEF reporting that thousands of orphans in the besieged strip remain unprotected.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Israeli attacks since the Hamas-led October 7 assaults have claimed the lives of at least 16,891 children. The ongoing military operations in Gaza, alongside the bombardment of Lebanon, have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict, given the involvement of Hamas and Hezbollah, both supported by Iran.
