This latest escalation in Gaza has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with at least 27 Palestinians killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school that was being used as a shelter, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Dozens more were reportedly wounded when the Dar al-Arqam school in Gaza City’s northeastern Tuffah district was struck.
The Israeli military has stated that it targeted a Hamas command and control center in the city but did not specifically address the reported school strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claim that extensive measures were taken to minimize civilian harm. However, video footage from a nearby hospital showed children being rushed in with severe injuries, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the attack.
The broader conflict has intensified, with Israel expanding its military operations across Gaza. The past 24 hours alone have seen nearly 100 additional deaths, with Israeli forces advancing further into Palestinian territory. The IDF has issued evacuation orders for multiple areas, including parts of northern Gaza and the southern city of Rafah, prompting an estimated 100,000 people to flee, according to the United Nations.
Israeli officials maintain that these operations are necessary to dismantle Hamas’s infrastructure and secure the release of remaining hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the military actions, arguing that sustained pressure is the key to forcing Hamas to negotiate. However, Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal and insists on the terms set forth by mediators Qatar and Egypt, which reportedly involve a phased hostage release, Israeli troop withdrawals, and humanitarian aid access.
Meanwhile, questions remain over the killing of 15 Palestinian emergency workers near Rafah on March 23. The IDF has launched an internal investigation into the incident, where ambulances and a UN vehicle were reportedly struck by Israeli forces. A surviving paramedic has disputed Israel’s claims that the vehicles were being used by Hamas operatives, insisting that all those killed were civilians.
The war, which began after Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 50,520 deaths in Gaza, according to the Palestinian health ministry. With diplomatic efforts stalled and military operations escalating, the humanitarian crisis in the region continues to deepen.
