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Al-Tabaeen school attack

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Al-Tabaeen school attack
Part of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip
Al-Tabaeen school attack is located in the Gaza Strip
Al-Tabaeen school attack
Location within the Gaza Strip
LocationGaza City, Gaza Strip
Date10 August 2024
TargetMosque inside Al Tabaeen school[1]
Attack type
Rocket strikes
Deaths80+[2][3] Palestinians
Injured47 Palestinians
Perpetrators Israel Defense Forces

On 10 August 2024, Israel struck the Al-Tabaeen school located in eastern Gaza City, which was hosting displaced Palestinians seeking shelter there during the Israel-Hamas war.[3] At least 80 Palestinians were killed and 47 others were injured,[2] with several victims being trapped in the school as the fire spread, according to Palestinian health authorities.[4][5]

Background

The attack happened amidst negotiations for the three-phase ceasefire proposal between Israel and Palestinian factions.[6] It was the fifth attack on a school in a week and the UN Human Rights Office said it was "horrified by the unfolding pattern" of attacks on schools.[7][8][9] Referring to the attacks, the EU's Josep Borrell said "There’s no justification for these massacres."[10][11]

Attack

At around 4:40[12] during Fajr morning prayers in the Al-Tabi'een school, which was being used to house roughly 6,000 refugees and internally displaced Palestinian citizens, three rockets struck the building, causing the structure to collapse. According to witnesses, no warning was given prior to the attack.[13] The number of Palestinians in the school was higher during the attack due to it occurring during Fajr prayer, with eyewitnesses claiming that roughly 250 people were inside the prayer hall at the time of the strikes.[14][15]

Due to the impact of the rockets, a fire started that caused several more casualties from victims who survived the initial blast but were trapped in the rubble and debris. Rescue workers who arrived at the scene and attempted to put out the blaze were unable to free several of those trapped under the wreckage before they were overcome by the spreading smoke and fire, which reportedly included whole families. Attempts by rescue workers and other civilians to reduce the spread of the fire and save the lives of trapped civilians were seriously impeded due to the Israeli military cutting off the region's water supply.[14]

Casualties

The director of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital said that at least 80 Palestinians were killed.[2] According to Gaza Health Ministry, 47 were injured.[16][1] A regional director for Save the Children called it the deadliest attack on a school since October 2023.[17] The Palestinian Civil Defence said that 11 children and six women were among the victims,[4] and elderly civilians were also reported to be among the victims of the disaster.[14]

The IDF and Shin Bet released the names of 19 people and claimed that they had been killed in the strike and alleged that they were Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants,[18][19] and accused the Gaza Health Ministry of inflating the death toll.[4] However two of the Palestinians Israel claimed as "Hamas operatives" who were killed in the strike were found to have been killed earlier in different regions, such as Yussuf al-Wadiya who was killed two days earlier in a different region, and Montaser Daher who was killed alongside his sister earlier on 9 August far from the school.[20]

Casualties received at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital received shrapnel injuries from the explosives that caused profuse bleeding, while other survivors suffered from severe burns caused by the fire following the initial explosions. Due to the sudden influx of casualties in addition to the lack of staff and medical supplies, healthcare workers at the hospital were unable to provide necessary aid while the hospital system was pushed to the "brink of collapse". Healthcare workers were forced to recycle medical supplies due to severe shortages. Many bodies were also brought to the hospital for identification, with several being difficult to identify due to their remains being brought in in small pieces.[14]

Response

Palestinian response

The Gaza Government's media office called the attacks a "massacre" that fell "within the framework of the crime of genocide and ethnic cleansing against our Palestinian people." It further accused the Israeli army of directly bombing a location holding displaced people while performing Fajr prayer in order to increase the number of civilians killed at once. The office claimed that the three explosives used in the attacks each bore 2,000 pound (907 kg) payloads. It called upon the international community and any organizations to put further pressure on Israel to stop their occupation. The office asserted that in addition to Israel, it held "the American administration fully responsible for this massacre."[14]

Fatah called the attack a “heinous bloody massacre” that represented “peak of terrorism and criminality”, and asserted that the brutal nature of the strikes confirmed the genocidal nature of Israel's invasion of Gaza. It called on human rights organizations and the international community to stop the war immediately and prevent Israel from conducting further attacks.[14]

Hamas denied that the school was being used as a command and control center and described the attack as a "horrific crime and a dangerous escalation" in Israel's "war of extermination against the Palestinian people".[21]

Palestinian officials told CNN no warning was given by Israel prior to the bombing.[13]

PRCS spokeswoman Nebal Farsakh said that paramedics in Gaza were "shocked" and "horrified" by the scenes after the attack.[22]

Palestinians in Jenin protested against on the streets after the attack, calling it a "massacre".[23]

Israeli response

The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed reports that its Air Force targeted the school. They claimed that the school "contained 20 Hamas and PIJ terrorists" and was being used as a "Hamas headquarters" based on intelligence from the IDF, the Southern Command, and the Shin Bet.[24][7][14] The IDF claimed that they had taken "many steps" to lower the likelihood of harm to civilians such as using precision weapons, intelligence, and "contractual measures". They asserted that Hamas deliberately set up one of their military headquarters in the school in order to use civilians as "a human shield for terrorist activity", accusing Hamas of "systematically violat[ing] international law".[3][14][21] Additionally the IDF stated that the use of three precise munitions, that can't create the damage reported by the Hamas, and provided aerial photos from before and after the attack to assert that no severe damage was caused.[25][26]

Humanitarian response

The regional director of Save the Children, Tamer Kirolos, calls the event "the deadliest attack on a school since last October".[27]

International responses

 Algeria: The country has requested an urgent and open United Nations Security Council meeting for Tuesday to discuss the Israeli attack.[28]

 Arab League: The Arab Parliament has condemned the attack, describing it as a "terrorist and inhumane act".[29]

 Australia: Foreign minister Penny Wong condemned the deaths caused by the attack and calls for an "immediate" ceasefire.[30]

 Belgium: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib has "strongly" condemned the attack, calling it "unacceptable".[31]

 Egypt: The Foreign Ministry stated that Israel's willingness to knowingly kill unarmed civilians showed that it did not have any political intention or motivation to push towards a ceasefire for the war.[15]

 European Union: High representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell said that he's "horrified" by the images coming out of the al-Tabin school after the attack.[32]

 France: The Foreign Ministry condemned the attack "in the firmest of terms" and said that "for several weeks, school buildings have been repeatedly targeted with an intolerable number of civilian victims. Israel must respect international humanitarian law".[33]

 Gulf Cooperation Council: Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi has denounced the attack, describing it as "war crimes".[34]

 Iran: Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani has condemned the attack, stating that Israel had proved once again that it is not committed to any international laws or moral principles, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, said that the Israeli government's goal was to thwart ceasefire negotiations and continue the war.[35][36]

 Jordan: The Foreign Ministry stated that the attack "goes against all humanitarian values" and violates international law, People protested in Amman condemning the attack.[37][38]

 Lebanon: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the strike is a "clear evidence of the Israeli government's disregard for international humanitarian law and its intention to prolong the war and expand its scope".[27]

 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation: the organization calls the strike as "an extension of the brutal massacres and genocide committed by the Israeli occupation for more than ten months in the Gaza Strip".[27]

 Pakistan: The Foreign Ministry condemns the attack in the strongest terms and has said that Israel should be held accountable for these war crimes and genocide in Gaza. We call on the international community, especially the United Nations and supporters of Israel, to take immediate steps to end the genocide in Gaza and protect the people of Gaza.[39][40][41]

 Qatar: The Foreign Ministry condemned the "horrific massacre", staring that it was a "brutal crime against displaced unarmed civilians and their fundamental rights under international humanitarian law and the 2610 resolution of the UN Security Council."[42]

 Russia: Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has condemned the attack, stating that it undermine international efforts to de-escalate the war and reach an urgent ceasefire and prisoner-captive exchange.[43]

 Saudi Arabia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it denounced the attack in the "strongest terms".[44]

 Turkey: The Foreign Ministry calls the "massacre" a "new crime against humanity" committed by Israel, also accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of wanting "to sabotage ceasefire negotiations".[27]

 United Kingdom: David Lammy (the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs) said that he was "Appalled by the Israeli Military strike on al-Tabeen school and the tragic loss of life. Hamas must stop endangering civilians. Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law. We need an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, free all hostages, and end restrictions on aid."[45]

 United Nations: A UNICEF spokesperson told the BBC that the attack was "really outrageous", and said that "All those schools are really packed with civilians, children, mothers and families, who are taking refuge in any empty space whether it's a school or it's a mosque, whatever it is, even in hospital yards."[21] The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini called for the end to the "horrors unfolding under our watch".[46] The UN Human Rights Office condemned the increasing frequency of Israeli attacks on schools sheltering displaced Palestinians, and noted that this was at least the 21st attack on a school that the OHCHR had recorded since 4 July.[47]

 United States: The White House expressed concern after the attacks, National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett stated that "far too many civilians continue to be killed and wounded" and called for a ceasefire and a hostage deal.[48][36] When asked about the attack, US Vice President Kamala Harris said Israel had a right to "go after Hamas" but should "avoid civilian casualties".[49]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "IDF doubts Hamas claim of over 90 dead after strike on terror operatives at Gaza school". The Times of Israel. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Israeli airstrike on a Gaza school used as a shelter kills at least 80, Palestinian officials say". AP News. 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10. Fadel Naeem, director of the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, told The Associated Press that the facility received 70 bodies along with the body parts of at least 10 others.
  3. ^ a b c "More than 100 Palestinians killed in Israeli air strike on school". ABC News. 2024-08-10. Archived from the original on 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  4. ^ a b c "Scores reported dead in Gaza school shelter as Israel says it bombed militants". Reuters. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  5. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja; Kim, Victoria (August 10, 2024). "Israel Strikes School Complex in Gaza, Killing Dozens, Local Health Officials Say". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  6. ^ عوض, قدري. "الحرب على غزة.. مجزرة جديدة بحي الدرج وتأكيد أميركي على ضرورة التوصل لوقف إطلاق النار". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic).
  7. ^ a b Harvey, Lex; Nasser, Irene; Tawfeeq, Mohammed (August 10, 2024). "More than 90 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on school and mosque sheltering displaced people, Gaza officials say". CNN.
  8. ^ "UN Human Rights Office - OPT: UN Human Rights Office in Palestine horrified by pattern of Israeli strikes on schools in Gaza and use of lethal force in the West Bank - occupied Palestinian territory". ReliefWeb. August 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja; Kim, Victoria (August 10, 2024). "Israel Strikes School Complex in Gaza, Killing Dozens, Local Health Officials Say". The New York Times.
  10. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja; Kim, Victoria; Boxerman, Aaron (August 10, 2024). "Israel Criticized After Strike Kills Scores in Gaza". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  11. ^ "Israel orders more Gaza evacuations as school strike death toll confirmed at 80". FT.
  12. ^ Ryan, Missy; Harb, Hajar; El Chamaa, Mohamad; Suliman, Adela; Ables, Kelsey (10 August 2024). "Nearly 100 killed in Israeli strike on school, Gaza officials say". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  13. ^ a b "More than 90 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on school and mosque sheltering displaced people, Gaza officials say". CNN. 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h Mccready, Alastair (10 August 2024). "Israel-Palestine conflict | Live updates". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10. Israel claims, without offering any evidence, that the school was being used as a compound by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. It says intelligence showed 20 fighters were based there.
  15. ^ a b Ambrose, Tom; Mackay, Hamish (2024-08-10). "Israel-Gaza war live: dozens reported dead after Israeli strike on Gaza school". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  16. ^ "More than 90 Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on school and mosque sheltering displaced people, Gaza officials say". CNN. 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  17. ^ "Almost 100 killed in Israeli strike on Gaza school, civil defense says". Washington Post. 10 August 2024. Archived from the original on 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Israel names 19 terror operatives killed in Gaza strike, says no major damage to school complex, denies Hamas death toll claims". The Times of Israel. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  19. ^ Motamedi, Maziar. "Israeli military 'falsely claimed' school bombing victims were Hamas". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-08-10. A Palestinian national and chairman of the Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor says the Israeli military is trying to frame innocent citizens as fighters to justify its latest massacre in Gaza.
  20. ^ "بعضهم استشهد قبل يومين.. معلومات إسرائيلية مضللة عن مجزرة "التابعين"". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  21. ^ a b c "Israel-Gaza war: Dozens reportedly killed in Israeli air strike on school building". BBC News. 2024-08-10. Archived from the original on 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  22. ^ "Medics were 'horrified': Red Crescent on school strike". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  23. ^ "Palestinians in Jenin protest against Israel's school 'massacre'". Al Jazeera. 11 August 2024.
  24. ^ "أكثر من 100 قتيل في قصف على مدرسة بغزة.. وإسرائيل تعلّق". سكاي نيوز عربية (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2024-08-10. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  25. ^ https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/idf-press-releases-regarding-the-hamas-israel-war/august-24-pr/19-terrorists-eliminated-in-a-mosque-in-al-taba-een-school-compound/
  26. ^ https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-slammed-globally-after-hamas-claims-at-least-90-dead-in-strike-on-gaza-school/
  27. ^ a b c d "'Bloody massacre': Reactions to Israeli attack on Gaza school". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
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  29. ^ "Arab Parliament, OIC slam deadly attack on Gaza school". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
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  31. ^ "Targeting civilian infrastructure is 'unacceptable': Belgium". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
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  33. ^ "France condemns Gaza school attack". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  34. ^ "'War crimes': GCC denounces Israel's deadly school strike". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  35. ^ "Iran condemns Israeli strike on Gaza school". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  36. ^ a b "'Bloody massacre': Reactions to Israeli attack on Gaza school". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-08-10.
  37. ^ "School bombing 'a flagrant violation of international law': Jordan". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Demonstrators in Jordan condemn deadly Israeli air attacks on Gaza school". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  39. ^ https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/pakistan-condemns-the-israeli-attack-on-al-tabeen-school
  40. ^ "Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli attack on Gaza school".
  41. ^ "Pakistan slams Israeli airstrike on Gaza school, calls for accountability".
  42. ^ "Qatar latest to condemn Israel's attack on al-Tabin school". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Russia urges Israel to cease attacks on civilians in Gaza". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  44. ^ "Saudi Arabia condemns Gaza school attack in 'strongest terms'". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  45. ^ Lammy, David [@DavidLammy] (2024-08-10). "David Lammy on X" (Tweet). Retrieved 2024-08-10 – via Twitter. Appalled by the Israeli Military strike on al-Tabeen school and the tragic loss of life. Hamas must stop endangering civilians. Israel must comply with International Humanitarian Law. We need an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians, free all hostages, and end restrictions on aid.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ^ "Another day of horror in Gaza: UNRWA head". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  47. ^ "UN Human Rights Office - OPT: The UN Human Rights Office condemns Israeli Defense Force's Strike on Al Tabae'en School in Gaza City". ReliefWeb. 10 August 2024.
  48. ^ "US 'deeply concerned' about deadly Israeli strike on Gaza school". Al Jazeera. 10 August 2024.
  49. ^ "Israeli airstrike on Gaza school used as shelter kills at least 80, Palestinian officials say". Voice of America. August 10, 2024.