Al-Fakhoora school airstrikes explained

2023 al-Fakhoora school airstrikes
Partof:the Jabalia refugee camp airstrikes within the Israel–Hamas war
Location:Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip
Target:al-Fakhoora school
Type:Airstrike
Fatalities:70+
Injuries:70+
Perps: Israel

Israel conducted two airstrikes on the al-Fakhoora school in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, which was being used as a shelter by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA).[1] On 4 November 2023, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 15 people and injured 70.[2]

First airstrike

An Israeli missile fell on al-Fukhora school in the morning of 4 November, when thousands of people were living in the school at the time of the attack.[1] [3]

Casualties

At least 15 people were killed and 70 injured in the attack. Children are also among the dead. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that dozens more were injured.[3] [1]

Reactions

Arab leaders publicly pressed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.[4] However, Blinken pushed back, saying the ceasefire would only allow Hamas to regroup.[4]

Second airstrike

A second airstrike on the school occurred in the early hours of the morning on 18 November. Journalists on the scene reported dead bodies everywhere, suggesting the strike may have been an Israeli message to civilians to flee to the southern Gaza Strip.[5] A video clip surfacing following what has been described as a "massacre" depicts a man walking through several rooms where dozens of corpses can be seen, and distress can be heard throughout the school.[6]

Casualties

The second strike killed at least 50 people.[7]

Reactions

Martin Griffiths stated the strike was "tragic news" and that "Shelters are a place for safety. Schools are a place for learning."[7] Tamara Alrifai, a spokesperson for UNRWA, stated, "What we're seeing is another one of these horrific incidents, where civilians, people who sought shelter in a protected UN building, are paying the price."[5] The IDF stated it had killed multiple "terrorists."[8] Philippe Lazzarini stated, "These attacks cannot become commonplace."[9] The Qatar Foreign Ministry stated that "an urgent international investigation and independent investigators to probe Israel's targeting of schools and hospitals in Gaza" were needed.[10]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Israel ramps up attacks in Gaza, striking schools, hospitals and mosques . 2023-11-05 . 2023-11-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105045037/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/4/israeli-strikes-target-schools-hospitals-mosques-on-gaza . live . .
  2. Web site: Israeli airstrike on school kills 15, injures 70 at UN refugee camp . . 4 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . 5 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231105055833/https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/israeli-airstrike-on-school-kills-15-injures-70-at-un-refugee-camp . live .
  3. Web site: Arab leaders urge ceasefire to end Gaza 'madness'. US says it would allow Hamas to regroup . 5 November 2023 . SBS World News . 5 November 2023 . 4 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231104205650/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/israeli-strike-on-un-run-school-in-gaza-kills-at-least-15/7yo41lkik . live .
  4. Web site: Arab leaders press Blinken for Gaza cease-fire after school blasts. Nidal. al-Mughrabi. Simon. Lewis. Suleiman. Al-Khalidi. 4 November 2023. Reuters. 2023-11-05. 2023-11-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20231105010423/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-arab-leaders-meet-over-gaza-palestinian-deaths-mount-2023-11-03/. live.
  5. Web site: Dozens killed as Israeli forces attack two schools in northern Gaza . Al Jazeera . 18 November 2023 . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118123622/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/18/israeli-forces-strike-al-fakhoora-school-in-northern-gaza . live .
  6. Web site: تقديرات بسقوط 200 شهيد.. مجزرة جديدة في مدرسة الفاخورة بغزة . Estimates of 200 martyrs...a new massacre at Al-Fakhoura School in Gaza . Aljazeera . ar . 2023-11-19 . 2023-12-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231208172535/https://www.aljazeera.net/amp/news/2023/11/18/%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D9%82%D9%88%D8%B7-200-%D8%B4%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A . live .
  7. Web site: Hamas Health Ministry Says More Than 80 Dead In Strikes On Refugee Camp . Barron's . Agence France Presse . 18 November 2023 . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118210353/https://www.barrons.com/news/hamas-health-ministry-says-at-least-50-dead-in-bombing-of-un-school-314e84d0 . live .
  8. News: McDaniel . Justine . After school bombing, IDF says it killed 'terrorists' in Jabalya . The Washington Post . 18 November 2023 . 20 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231120181806/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/18/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-palestine/#link-YSYBM3IU5VDNTP6Y3ZGPPDOKI4 . live .
  9. Web site: UN Palestinian Refugee Agency Condemns 'Horrifying' School Attacks . Barron's . Agence France Presse . 18 November 2023 . 18 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231118184838/https://www.barrons.com/news/un-palestinian-refugee-agency-condemns-horrifying-school-attacks-04d6d9d8?refsec=topics_afp-news . live .
  10. Web site: Qatar denounces Israeli attack on Gaza school . Al Jazeera . 18 November 2023 . 23 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223204813/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/18/israel-hamas-war-live-conditions-worsen-as-another-baby-dies-at-al-shifa?update=2496687 . live .