Israeli Airstrike on Gaza School Kills Six UN Staff Amid Rising Civilian Toll

An Israeli airstrike on a school in central Gaza, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), has killed six of its employees, marking the deadliest incident for UN staff since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October. According to Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, a total of 18 people were killed in the strike on al-Jaouni school, located in Nuseirat refugee camp, which was sheltering thousands of displaced Palestinians.

Israel’s military stated that the attack was a “precise strike on terrorists” who were allegedly planning assaults from the school grounds. They emphasized that measures had been taken to avoid civilian casualties, using targeted munitions and aerial surveillance. However, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, calling the ongoing violence in Gaza "totally unacceptable" and urging for an immediate halt to what he described as violations of international humanitarian law.

The UNRWA, which oversees aid and relief efforts in Gaza, highlighted that this was the fifth time the school had been struck in the past 11 months. The agency called it "the highest death toll among our staff in a single incident" during the conflict. They further emphasized that civilian infrastructure, including schools, must be protected and should not be used as targets in the conflict.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) defended the strike, claiming the facility was being used by Hamas militants to coordinate operations. The IDF argued that the strike showcased Hamas’ exploitation of civilian sites, including schools, to launch attacks, a practice Israel states is in clear violation of international law. Gaza’s Hamas-led government denounced the incident as a “brutal massacre,” accusing Israel of deliberately targeting civilians.

Video footage from the scene showed significant destruction, with the ground floor of one wing of the school severely damaged. Survivors described a chaotic scene, with people scrambling over rubble and "shredded limbs." A civil defense spokesperson, Mahmoud Bassal, reported that the 18 fatalities included children and women, alongside UNRWA staff. At least 18 others were injured in the attack, with some being rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The UNRWA also revealed that the shelter's manager was among those killed in the strike, along with other personnel aiding displaced individuals. The agency reiterated its call for all parties to the conflict to refrain from using schools or surrounding areas for military purposes, stressing that such actions jeopardize the safety of civilians seeking refuge.

The broader conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated significantly since October 7, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 others. In response, Israeli forces initiated a military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas' infrastructure in Gaza. The territory’s health ministry, run by Hamas, reports over 41,080 casualties since the offensive began.

As hostilities continue, international observers have expressed concern over the humanitarian impact on Gaza’s civilian population, with thousands of displaced residents and increasing reports of attacks on civilian infrastructure. The UN has consistently called for the protection of non-combatants, urging both sides to respect international law during the ongoing conflict.