September 21st 2024.
Over the weekend, a tragic event occurred in Gaza as a school was struck by an Israeli attack. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 22 people were killed and another 30 were injured. The strike was aimed at a former school which was now being used as a Hamas command center, as stated by the Israeli army.
The majority of the victims were women and children, and it is unclear which hospital they were taken to for treatment. Heartbreaking footage captured by The Associated Press showed people, including children, sifting through the rubble of the destroyed building. Outside, loved ones gathered around covered bodies, some unable to contain their tears for their lost family members.
One witness, Ferial Deloul, who had been displaced from her home, described the terrifying experience of being hit by two missiles. She tearfully questioned why innocent civilians, including children, had to suffer in this conflict.
The Israeli army claimed that they had taken precautions to minimize civilian casualties, such as using precise weapons and aerial surveillance. However, this was not the only incident over the weekend where civilians were harmed by Israeli fire. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that five of their workers were killed and five others were injured by an Israeli strike on their warehouses in the southern Musbah area.
There have been conflicting narratives over the use of schools and hospitals in this ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli army has accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure, including schools and UN facilities, for their operations. This has led to a high number of displaced civilians in Gaza, with the United Nations reporting that 90% of Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced.
This conflict has been ongoing for nearly a year now, with tragic incidents occurring on both sides. In early October, Hamas-led fighters killed over 1200 people, mostly civilians, in an attack on southern Israel. They also abducted 250 people and are still holding around 100 of them as hostages. In response, Israel launched a campaign in Gaza which has resulted in the deaths of at least 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Tensions in the region escalated even further on Friday when an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon killed dozens of people, including civilians and senior Hezbollah commanders. This came after Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets towards northern Israel. Despite the tense situation, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv and other cities to protest for a cease-fire and for the return of the hostages still being held in Gaza.
It is a devastating reality that innocent civilians, including women and children, are being caught in the crossfire of this ongoing conflict. Both sides must work towards a peaceful resolution in order to prevent further tragedies and loss of life.
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