Seven Palestinians were killed and several others wounded yesterday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a school sheltering hundreds of displaced people in Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Mahmoud Basal, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza, stated that “Israeli warplanes bombed the Kafr Qasim school, which was sheltering hundreds of displaced people in the Al-Shati camp.” He added, “The attack resulted in the deaths of seven Palestinians and injured several others, including serious cases.”
This is the second incident of its kind within 24 hours, following an earlier Israeli airstrike that targeted a school sheltering displaced families in the southeastern area of Gaza City, killing 22 Palestinians and wounding 30 others, most of whom were women and children. According to the government’s media office, this raises the total number of displaced and shelter centers targeted by Israeli forces in Gaza since October 7 to 182.
Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, Palestinians have faced repeated displacements, as the Israeli army orders the evacuation of residential areas in preparation for bombardments, destruction, and ground incursions. During their displacement, Palestinians often seek refuge in schools, the homes of relatives or friends, or set up tents in streets, schools, or other locations like prisons and amusement parks. They endure dire humanitarian conditions with a lack of sufficient water, food, and the spread of diseases.