What's happened
Israeli airstrikes on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 34 people, including six UNRWA employees. The strikes have drawn widespread condemnation from international bodies and raised concerns over Israel's military tactics amid ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the Israeli military defended its actions by stating that the school was used as a Hamas command center, claiming that nine militants were killed in the strike. However, UN officials have called for an independent investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for accountability. Al Jazeera reported that UNRWA's Commissioner-General condemned the attack as part of a pattern of disregard for humanitarian operations, stating, 'Humanitarian staff, premises and operations have been blatantly and unabatedly disregarded since the beginning of the war.' Politico highlighted that this incident marks the highest death toll among UNRWA staff in a single attack, with Secretary-General António Guterres calling it 'totally unacceptable.' The Guardian noted that the strikes have raised grave concerns about Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law, as the conflict continues to escalate with devastating consequences for civilians.
How we got here
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated significantly after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 Israelis. Since then, Israel has conducted extensive military operations in Gaza, leading to a humanitarian crisis with over 40,000 Palestinian deaths reported.
Common question
-
What is the impact of Israeli airstrikes on civilians in Gaza?
The recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have raised serious concerns about civilian safety and humanitarian conditions. With reports of significant casualties, including women and children, many are left wondering about the broader implications of these attacks. Below, we address key questions surrounding the situation in Gaza and the international response to the ongoing conflict.
-
How Are Civilians Protected in Conflict Zones?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has raised urgent questions about the safety of civilians amid military operations. With recent airstrikes resulting in significant casualties, understanding the measures in place to protect non-combatants is crucial. This page explores the complexities of civilian safety in conflict zones, the impact of military actions, and the role of international organizations.
-
What Are the Recent Developments in the Gaza Conflict?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has escalated dramatically, with recent Israeli airstrikes resulting in significant casualties. Understanding the context and implications of these events is crucial for grasping the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Below are some common questions people have about the situation.
-
What Happened in the Recent Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza?
The recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have sparked outrage and concern worldwide, particularly due to the tragic loss of life among UN workers. Understanding the details of these events and the international response is crucial for grasping the broader implications of the ongoing conflict.
More on these topics
-
Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
-
Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
-
Gaza may refer to:
-
The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs, are an ethnonational group comprising the modern descendants of the peoples who have lived in Palestine continuously over the centuries and who today are largely culturally and
-
The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
-
The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has
-
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
-
The West Bank is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, bordered by Jordan to the east and by Israel to the south, west and north. The West Bank also contains a significant section of the western Dead Sea shore.
-
Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate