Cairo: Eight Palestinians lost their lives on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a vocational college near Gaza City, reportedly being used as a distribution center for aid, according to Palestinian witnesses. The college, operated by the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, had become a refuge for displaced families seeking aid, witnesses explained.
“Some people were coming to receive coupons and others had been displaced from their houses and they were sheltering here. Some were filling up water, others were receiving coupons, and suddenly we heard something falling. We ran away, those who were carrying water let it spill,” said Mohammed Tafesh, recounting the chaotic scene.
A Reuters photographer observed a low-rise building completely demolished, with bodies wrapped in blankets placed along the roadside, awaiting transport.
“We pulled out martyrs (from beneath the rubble), one who used to sell cold drinks and another who used to sell pastries and others who distributed or received coupons,” Tafesh continued. “There are about four or five martyrs and 10 injured. Thank God, the condition of the injured is good.”
The Israeli military asserted that the site, previously used as a UNRWA headquarters, had been co-opted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants for their operations. They stated that precautions were taken to minimize civilian casualties before conducting the airstrike.
“This morning (Sunday), IAF fighter jets directed by IDF and ISA intelligence struck terrorist infrastructure in which Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists were operating,” the military said in a statement. “This is another example of Hamas’ systematic exploitation of civilian infrastructure and the civilian population as a human shield for its terrorist activities.”
Hamas denies allegations by Israel that it uses civilians as human shields or utilizes civilian facilities for military purposes.
Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, stated that the agency was investigating the incident before providing further details.
“Since the beginning of the war, we have recorded that nearly 190 of our buildings have been hit. This is the vast majority of our buildings in Gaza,” she said. “A total of 193 UNRWA team members have been killed in the conflict.”
Also Read | Heat Wave Engulfs US East Coast, Spreads Dangerously Westward
Israeli Forces Push Deeper into Rafah Amid Escalating Conflict
After more than eight months of conflict in the Hamas-administered enclave, Israel’s current military focus is on seizing control of the remaining areas, particularly Rafah in southern Gaza and the vicinity of Deir al-Balah in the center.
The Israeli ground and air campaign in Gaza was sparked by an incursion of Hamas-led militants into southern Israel on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostage-taking, according to Israeli reports.
The offensive has led to nearly 37,600 deaths, according to Palestinian health authorities, and extensive damage to Gaza’s infrastructure.
Residents reported that Israeli tanks had moved into the Mawasi displaced persons’ camp near Rafah’s northwest, engaging in intense clashes with Hamas fighters. This advance is part of broader Israeli operations in western and northern Rafah, which have involved the demolition of numerous homes in recent days.
“The fighting with the resistance has been intense. The occupation forces are overlooking the Mawasi area now, which forced families there to head for Khan Younis,” said a resident, who requested anonymity.
The Israeli military indicated it was continuing targeted operations in Rafah, identifying weapons caches, tunnel entrances, and eliminating Palestinian gunmen.
The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed their fighters had engaged Israeli forces in Rafah using anti-tank rockets, mortar bombs, and pre-planted explosive devices.
In another incident, two individuals were killed in Nuseirat in central Gaza.
At Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, health officials reported the deaths of two infants due to malnutrition, bringing the total number of children who have died from malnutrition or dehydration since October 7 to at least 31, though officials suggest the actual number may be higher due to underreporting.
