At least seven bodies of displaced Palestinians, including women, children, and babies who were seeking shelter, were discovered in the Shadia Abu Ghazala School, located in Jabalia, Gaza Strip. The school, run by the United Nations, had become a safe haven for families fleeing the conflict in northern Gaza. However, their hopes for safety were shattered when Israeli soldiers entered the building and carried out a brutal massacre.
Witnesses and survivors of the attack have come forward to share their harrowing accounts of the assault. According to them, Israeli forces killed several people, including women, children, and babies, execution-style inside the school. Videos and images obtained from the scene show the horrifying aftermath, with bodies piled up inside the classrooms. Bullet holes and charred walls bear witness to the violence inflicted upon innocent civilians.
One grieving father recounted the traumatic experience of being in the school with his wife and six children when Israeli soldiers stormed in. He described how they were shot at without warning and prevented from speaking or asking questions. The soldiers expelled around 20 people from the school, interrogating and stripping them of their clothes. The footage further reveals traces of blood and personal belongings of the victims, while bullets pierced the walls where the bodies were found.
Saeed Jumaa, who lost his sister, her husband, and their children in the massacre, expressed his shock upon returning to the school days later. He discovered that his relatives had been executed in a brutal manner, with their bodies showing signs of decomposition and infestation. Jumaa also revealed that his nephew’s face had something written in Hebrew, leaving the family perplexed and hastening their burial preparations.
Multiple witnesses confirmed that the victims were not killed by missile strikes or shells but were instead shot directly by ground troops inside the classrooms. Seven bodies were found in three different rooms, further highlighting the callousness of the attack. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident, as Israeli attacks on schools in Gaza have claimed the lives of dozens of displaced Palestinians, including children.
The United Nations estimates that nearly 1.9 million out of Gaza’s total population of 2.3 million have been displaced since the start of the war. UN-run schools were expected to provide safe shelter for these vulnerable individuals, but Israel’s relentless bombardment has shattered this belief. Palestinian health officials report that more than 20,000 people in Gaza have lost their lives since October 7, with children and women being the majority of the victims.
The international community must condemn these atrocities and demand accountability for the lives lost. The ongoing conflict in Gaza is a grave humanitarian crisis that cannot be ignored. It is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of innocent civilians and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all parties involved.
