Tragedy struck on Saturday as the death toll from an Israeli strike on a school compound in Gaza rose to 22, with most of the victims being women and children. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 20 of those killed were women and children, including 13 children, six women, and a 3-month-old infant. Additionally, 30 people were injured in the attack, with 9 children requiring amputations and others suffering from severe burns.
The Israeli military had claimed that the compound was being used as a Hamas command center and had taken precautions to avoid civilian casualties. However, the presence of Hamas operatives at the site could not be independently verified. The IDF has frequently accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, for military purposes.
Footage from the aftermath of the strike showed the devastating impact, with Civil Defense workers confirming at least 20 fatalities. Rescue workers were seen frantically searching through debris to assist the injured. A woman who had sought refuge at the school expressed shock and grief, stating that there was no warning before the missiles struck. She condemned the ongoing conflict and called for an end to the bloodshed, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The incident has once again underscored the toll that the conflict is taking on innocent civilians, particularly women and children. As the violence escalates, calls for an immediate ceasefire and a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have grown louder from the international community.
