Image Credit: Al Jazeera
At dawn today, the Israeli military conducted an airstrike on the Al-Tabi’in school in Gaza City’s al-Daraj neighborhood, resulting in over 100 fatalities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly claimed that the school was being used as a Hamas headquarters, where militants were allegedly planning and coordinating attacks against Israel.
Local reports indicate that the bombing occurred during morning prayers, a time when the school was densely populated. Following the strike, a fire reportedly broke out, exacerbating the situation and prompting a frantic rescue operation by local teams to save those trapped inside the burning building.
The IDF has stated that the strike was aimed at “terrorists who worked in a military command headquarters located inside the Al-Tabi’in school.” The military has suggested that Hamas had been using the school as a cover for its operations, thereby placing both militants and civilians in jeopardy. According to the IDF, “several steps were taken to reduce the possibility of civilian casualties,” although specific details about these precautions have not been disclosed.
This incident has further complicated the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where many schools have become makeshift shelters amid escalating hostilities. The bombing of a school, traditionally a place of safety and refuge, underscores the severe impact of the conflict on non-combatants. The IDF’s stance reflects its position that such strikes are necessary when civilian infrastructure is used for military purposes. However, the substantial civilian toll and the destruction of a key institution for the community have intensified concerns about the protection of non-combatants in the ongoing violence.