An Israeli air strike on a school in Gaza City has resulted in the deaths of at least 22 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry, which is overseen by Hamas. The attack took place at the al-Falah school, located in Gaza’s al-Zaytoun neighborhood, and has added to the already devastating toll in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The School Strike: Conflicting Narratives

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the air strike, stating that it was aimed at a Hamas command center located within the school, which Israeli authorities claim was being used to plan and execute attacks against both Israeli soldiers and civilians. The school had been closed due to the ongoing war, but was being used as a shelter by displaced Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

While the IDF emphasized its use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance to minimize civilian casualties, it accused Hamas of deliberately using civilian infrastructure, including schools, for military purposes, thereby violating international law. The Israeli military has repeatedly condemned Hamas for allegedly exploiting civilians as shields by embedding its operations in densely populated areas.

On the other hand, Hamas has denied using schools and other civilian spaces for military activities. The Hamas-run media office reported that the victims of the strike included 13 children, one of whom was a three-month-old baby, along with six women, including one who was pregnant.

A Growing Death Toll

The strike is one of several in the latest round of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which erupted after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on 7 October last year, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 250 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, which has now resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 people, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

Schools have been frequent targets of Israeli air strikes in the current conflict, with both sides providing conflicting accounts of the legitimacy of these actions. Earlier this month, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (Unrwa) reported that six of its employees were killed in an Israeli air strike at a school being used as a shelter in the Nuseirat refugee camp. It was the fifth time the school had been hit since the beginning of the conflict.

A Broader Impact on Civilians

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, as civilian infrastructure—including schools and medical facilities—comes under attack. On the same day as the al-Falah school strike, Gaza’s health ministry reported that four of its workers were killed and six others were injured in an Israeli strike on a health ministry warehouse in southern Gaza. The IDF has not yet commented on these specific claims.

Israel’s military insists that it takes significant measures to avoid civilian casualties but maintains that Hamas’ tactic of operating within civilian areas makes it difficult to prevent them entirely. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza continue to bear the brunt of the violence, as schools, hospitals, and homes are destroyed in the fighting.

International Concerns and Humanitarian Response

The international community has expressed deep concern over the rising civilian death toll, particularly the impact on women, children, and displaced individuals seeking refuge in schools and shelters. Humanitarian organizations, including Unrwa, have called for an immediate ceasefire and greater efforts to protect civilians from the ongoing violence.

As the conflict continues, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with no clear end in sight. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, and the civilian population of Gaza continues to suffer amid the chaos of war.