Israeli Strikes Kill 52 in Gaza, Including 36 at School Shelter/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli airstrikes killed at least 52 people across Gaza on Monday, including 36 in a school shelter. Israel says the school was used as a militant command center; medics and locals report civilians were sleeping. Aid efforts remain contentious as U.N. agencies reject the new Israel-backed aid distribution plan.
Gaza Crisis Quick Looks
- Casualties: 52 killed, 36 in school-turned-shelter; 16 from one family in Jabalya
- Location: Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Jabalya
- Claim: Israel targeted militants inside shelter; locals say civilians were sleeping
- Aid Disruption: U.N. and major NGOs reject U.S.-Israel aid plan; U.S. coordinator resigns
- Political Backdrop: Nationalist march in Jerusalem stokes tensions; UN compound breached
- Death Toll: Over 54,000 Palestinians dead, most women and children, per Gaza Health Ministry
Deep Look: Gaza Devastated as Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens, Including 36 in School Shelter
As dawn broke over Gaza on Monday, families were torn apart once again — this time by Israeli airstrikes that obliterated a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City’s Daraj neighborhood, killing 36 people and injuring dozens more. The Israeli military said it was targeting militants inside. Local officials and medics said those killed were sleeping civilians.
Airstrike on Shelter Sparks Outrage
The shelter, housed in a former school building, was reportedly struck three times in rapid succession. Videos from the scene show widespread fire, blackened rubble, and rescuers retrieving charred remains.
Among the victims were a father and his five children, medics said. Gaza’s Shifa and al-Ahli hospitals confirmed the total death toll from the strike. Israeli forces claim the site was a militant command hub used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad — a claim rejected by local sources who say no warnings were issued before the strikes.
A separate strike in northern Gaza’s Jabalya killed 16 members of a single family.
Israel’s Campaign Resumes With Force
The strikes are part of Israel’s renewed offensive, which began in March after a broken ceasefire. Israel has pledged to fully dismantle Hamas and retake control of Gaza — a goal that has led to near-total destruction across the enclave and massive displacement.
Since the October 7 Hamas-led assault, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, Israel’s campaign has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 54,000 Palestinians. Gaza’s Health Ministry says over half of the dead are women and children.
Israel continues to defend its tactics, citing Hamas’ operations within civilian areas. Critics argue that the scale of destruction is disproportionate and indiscriminately targets the population.
Aid Chaos and Resignation
Amid the bombings, a new Israel- and U.S.-backed humanitarian aid effort was due to begin Monday — but already faces major resistance.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), created to take over food distribution from U.N. agencies, promised to deliver aid to 1 million Palestinians. But its American director, Jake Wood, abruptly resigned Sunday, saying the foundation couldn’t operate independently of Israeli control.
“The GHF is not set up to truly function in a neutral or effective capacity,” Wood said.
Aid organizations and U.N. agencies warn that GHF’s system violates humanitarian neutrality and could accelerate displacement by forcing Palestinians to relocate to receive aid.
Nationalist March Adds Tension
In Jerusalem, nationalist Israelis marked the anniversary of Israel’s 1967 conquest of East Jerusalem with a flag march. Some participants shouted “Death to Arabs,” and a group stormed a UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem.
UNRWA, banned from operating in Israel, said the site is protected under international law. Israeli police have not commented.
The incident follows months of Israeli moves to dismantle U.N. operations across occupied areas.
Regional and Global Fallout
Israel has hinted at plans to encourage the “voluntary” relocation of Gaza’s population — a move widely condemned as ethnic cleansing. Hamas, for its part, has warned Palestinians not to cooperate with the GHF system, calling it a pretext for demographic reengineering.
While the U.S. continues to publicly support Israel, dissent within the international community is growing. Humanitarian officials, European diplomats, and even some Israeli allies have called for accountability and a halt to civilian-targeted strikes.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.