US Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the tragic loss of civilian life in an Israeli airstrike on the al-Taba’een school in Gaza on Saturday.
The airstrike, which targeted a facility sheltering displaced Palestinians, resulted in the deaths of over 70 individuals, according to Fadl Naeem, the director of al-Ahli Hospital where many casualties were taken.
Harris criticised the ongoing civilian casualties, stating that “far too many” lives have been lost “yet again.” She reiterated the White House’s calls for a ceasefire and a negotiated hostage deal. The Vice President acknowledged Israel’s right to target Hamas but emphasised the need for Israel to minimize civilian harm.
The Israeli military claimed the al-Taba’een school was an active military facility used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This assertion has been denied by Hamas.
The IDF reported that the strike targeted a command center and claimed the death of at least 19 militants, with intelligence suggesting that Islamic Jihad commander Ashraf Juda might have been present during the attack. However, his status remains unconfirmed.
The attack has drawn widespread criticism from Western and regional leaders. Egypt criticized the strike as evidence of Israel’s unwillingness to seek a ceasefire.
The UN reports that the majority of Gaza’s schools have been hit or damaged in recent weeks, with al-Taba’een housing over 1,000 people at the time of the strike.
Witnesses reported horrific scenes of devastation, with body parts scattered and blood staining the walls. UNICEF condemned the attack, highlighting the high civilian toll and the dire conditions faced by those taking refuge in schools and other facilities.
The ongoing conflict, sparked by a Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7 that killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 39,790 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing Israeli military campaign.
Chioma Kalu
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