In the past week, at least 41 people have been killed and over 150 injured in Israeli strikes on five schools in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials, medics, and rescuers. The latest attack occurred on July 15 when Israeli forces targeted the United Nations-run Abu Oreiban school in the Nuseirat refugee camp. At least 22 people were killed and about 80 were injured during this strike, most of whom were women and children.
Two days prior to that incident, another attack hit the church-run Holy Family school in Gaza City, resulting in four fatalities. Israel has repeatedly accused Palestinian fighters of using civilian buildings for military purposes but has yet to provide evidence for these claims.
Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have destroyed over 88 percent of all educational facilities in Gaza. A June report by the UN Human Rights Council found that Israel's attacks on civilian infrastructure appear to be violations of international law.
The latest attack on Abu Oreiban school took place amid ongoing indirect negotiations for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military stated that they targeted a number of terrorists operating from the school, but witnesses reported no armed fighters present at the scene.
The UN has condemned these attacks on schools, which are supposed to be safe havens for civilians during times of conflict. The organization's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, stated that “the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure is a clear violation of international humanitarian law.”
The Israeli military has not yet commented on the specific allegations regarding the Abu Oreiban school attack. However, they have previously defended their actions by stating that they take all necessary measures to minimize harm to civilians and that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
This is not the first time schools in Gaza have been targeted during this conflict. Since October 2023, Israeli forces have destroyed over 400 schools in Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of children without access to education. The UN has called on Israel to respect its obligations under international law and allow children to attend school safely and without fear.
The ongoing violence in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 38,600 people since October 2023, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The war has also triggered a humanitarian crisis, displacing most of Gaza's population and causing widespread hunger.
