Gaza’s civil defense agency reported on Saturday that an Israeli airstrike on the Halwa school in northern Jabalia resulted in the deaths of eight people, including two children. The school, which had been converted into a shelter, housed thousands of displaced people fleeing ongoing conflict. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal confirmed the fatalities and stated that the attack injured 30 others, including 19 children.
The Israeli military acknowledged the strike, stating it targeted a “command-and-control center” used by Hamas militants. The facility, which had previously served as the Halwa school, was allegedly being utilized by Hamas to orchestrate attacks. “The air force conducted a precise strike on terrorists,” the military said in a statement.
The incident follows a series of strikes on schools and shelters in Gaza, where intense fighting has persisted for over 14 months. On September 11, an Israeli attack on the UN-run Al-Jawni school in central Gaza killed 18 people, including six staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). That strike drew widespread international condemnation.
The Israeli military has accused Hamas of using school buildings as cover for their operations, a claim Hamas denies. Palestinian health ministry data, verified by the United Nations, indicates that at least 46,537 Palestinians—predominantly civilians—have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began.
The conflict intensified following an October 7 attack by Hamas militants, which claimed the lives of 1,208 people in Israel, most of them civilians. The figure includes hostages who were later killed in captivity.
International agencies and humanitarian organizations continue to call for restraint and the protection of civilians in the densely populated Gaza Strip. However, the situation remains dire, with escalating violence contributing to a growing humanitarian crisis.
The targeting of shelters housing displaced populations has drawn further criticism from global leaders, urging both sides to prioritize civilian safety amidst the hostilities.
