As the Gaza war enters its 22nd month, Gaza's civil defense agency reported a devastating strike on the Mustafa Hafez School in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood. The shelter, home to dozens of displaced families, was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Thursday, killing at least 12 people—many of them children and women—and wounding dozens more, according to civil defense official Mohammad al-Mughayyir.
Footage shared by AFP shows young children wandering through the charred remains of the school building, while community members sift through debris in search of personal belongings. The attack underlines a growing humanitarian crisis: nearly all of Gaza's population of more than two million has been uprooted by the conflict since October 2023.
In a separate incident in central Gaza, gunfire reportedly broke out near a humanitarian aid distribution site, killing six people and injuring others as they waited for vital supplies. These events add to a string of deadly incidents affecting civilians that have fueled international calls for better protection of noncombatants.
On the political front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to eradicate Hamas, the militant group whose October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the military campaign. Hamas, meanwhile, says it is reviewing new ceasefire proposals from mediators, with U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggesting that Israel supports an initial 60-day truce.
Further north, artillery shelling in Beit Lahia killed three people, and a strike on Jabalia claimed one life. In the south, a strike on tents sheltering displaced residents in Al-Mawasi—despite its designation as a safe zone—left three more dead. Gaza's media restrictions and access challenges make independent verification difficult, but rescuers warn that civilian harm is mounting.
The Israeli military has stated that it is working to dismantle Hamas military capabilities and takes precautions to limit civilian casualties. According to local health authorities, Gaza's death toll has now surpassed 57,000, while an AFP tally reports more than 1,200 Israelis killed, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack. These figures underscore the urgent need for renewed ceasefire efforts and humanitarian access in one of the world's most densely populated conflict zones.
Reference(s):
Gaza rescuers say Israeli forces kill 25, including 12 in shelter
cgtn.com
