Shadia Abu Ghazala School massacre explained
Shadia Abu Ghazala School massacre |
Partof: | the 2023 Israel–Hamas war |
Caption: | Location within the Gaza Strip |
Date: | 13 December 2023 |
Target: | Shadia Abu Ghazala School |
Type: | Massacre |
Fatalities: | 15+ civilians |
On 13 December 2023, the bodies of fifteen Palestinians were discovered at the Shadia Abu Ghazala School, west of Jabalia refugee camp in Al-Faluja, Gaza Strip. The school had been used as a shelter and had been surrounded by the Israeli military for several days.[1] [2] Images released several days after showed damage to the school's interior.[3]
Witnesses
Eyewitnesses reported the victims had been shot and killed point-blank by Israeli soldiers.[4] [5] A woman stated, "They took all men, then entered classrooms and opened fire on a woman and all the children with her."[6]
A grandfather of some of the victims stated that IDF soldiers had entered the school and began shooting indiscriminately, stating, "They are my children and grandchildren. Why did they shoot them in front of my eyes?"[7]
The brother of one of the victims stated that when he returned to the scene, he found the bodies of his family shot at point-blank range, "swollen and filled with worms".[8]
Reactions
The Euro-Med Monitor stated the victims were subjected to "field executions" while being questioned.[9] The Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the Biden administration to respond to reports of the massacre.[10]
Notes and References
- Web site: Women, children & babies killed "execution-style" in Gaza School . Jordan News . 13 December 2023 . 14 December 2023 . 14 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231214044329/https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Women-children-babies-killed-execution-style-in-Gaza-School-32979 . live.
- Web site: Atwood . Jordan . Gaza in mourning: Unraveling the truth behind the Shadia Abu Ghazala school tragedy . Nation of Change . 15 December 2023 . 2 March 2024.
- Web site: Damage at Shadia Abu Ghazaleh school following an Israeli raid, in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip . The Denver Gazette . 19 December 2023 . 19 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219024156/https://gazette.com/news/us-world/damage-at-shadia-abu-ghazaleh-school-following-an-israeli-raid-in-jabalia-in-the-northern/image_db41f54b-51e2-588e-8874-ddfb71169f2d.html . live.
- Web site: Bodies of women, children, babies 'shot dead by Israeli forces' found in Gaza school . The New Arab . 13 December 2023 . 14 December 2023 . 14 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231214044328/https://www.newarab.com/news/bodies-families-executed-israel-found-gaza-school . live.
- Web site: Warah . Leila . Gaza: Civilians Killed Execution-Style and Children Sleeping in the Rain . . 14 December 2023 . 18 December 2023 . 17 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217020540/https://truthout.org/articles/civilians-reportedly-killed-execution-style-while-sheltering-in-a-gaza-school/ . live.
- Web site: Footage shows bodies piled up after Israeli attack on Gaza school . YouTube . Al Jazeera . 14 December 2023 . 13 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231213210842/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=FveRpSsCfOU . live.
- Web site: Sabah . Abed . Gaza grandfather describes killing of his family by Israeli soldiers . Reuters . 19 December 2023.
- Web site: Zaanin . Mohamed . Classroom massacre: Survivors say Israel executed innocents in Gaza school . Al Jazeera . 26 December 2023.
- Web site: Israel turns schools into military centres, conducting field executions and mass killings . Euro-Med Monitor . 14 December 2023 . 13 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231213210853/https://euromedmonitor.org/en/article/6030/Israel-turns-schools-into-military-centres,-conducting-field-executions-and-mass-killings . live.
- Web site: CAIR Calls on Biden Admin to Respond to Alleged Israeli 'Execution-Style' Massacre of Women, Children and Babies Seeking Refuge in Gaza School . CAIR . 14 December 2023 . 23 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231223210154/https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-biden-admin-to-respond-to-alleged-israeli-execution-style-massacre-of-women-children-and-babies-seeking-refuge-in-gaza-school/ . live.