A school tragedy in Gaza
In recent hours, Gaza City has been the scene of a new tragic episode, where at least 30 Palestinians have lost their lives following the bombing of two schools run by the United Nations. This event highlights the alarming vulnerability of those displaced people who sought refuge in educational institutions, now turned into targets of attacks.
The impact on the youngest
Local paramedics’ reports indicate that 80% of the fatalities and injuries in the attacks on Hassan Salama and Nassr schools are children. According to Dr. Marwan al-Hams, director of hospitals in Gaza, the toll reveals a cruel reality: the human cost of conflict always falls disproportionately on the most defenceless.
Precarious conditions in shelters
The schools, which have housed people displaced by violence in the region, are severely damaged. The Al Jazeera correspondent, reporting from Deir el-Balah, warns that the centers designated for evacuation have become a recurring target: “There is no prior warning in these places, which has led to a series of tragedies among the population already traumatized.”
The cycle of displacement and trauma
The lack of safe shelter has forced thousands to relocate repeatedly, with some displaced people facing their sixth or seventh displacement in the northern part of Gaza. This continued uncertainty not only puts lives at risk, but also exacerbates the psychological trauma of a population that has already borne a significant burden.
Worsening of the conflict
The day before these attacks, another bombing on the Hamama school, located in the Sheikh Radwan sector, resulted in at least 15 deaths. Nebal Farsakh, a representative of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, stated that these events prove that there is no safe haven in Gaza. Although Israel justifies its attacks by claiming that the educational facilities are used by Hamas, it has not presented evidence to support these claims.
The humanitarian crisis worsens
Recent UN reports indicate that more than 86% of Gazans are under evacuation orders. This forced displacement is leading to unsustainable living conditions in areas that are also targeted by attacks. Since the start of the Israeli offensive in early October, the death toll has risen to 39,583, a result of a context marked by violence and desperation.
In a context of war, spaces that should guarantee education and safety for children have become conflict zones. The stories of tragedy in Gaza underline the urgent need for a ceasefire and dialogue that seeks real long-term solutions.