People search for survivors in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on a school compound in central Gaza on May 6, 2025 (Getty Images)
In a tragic escalation of violence, at least 22 people, including seven children, lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday. The attack hit a school compound in the Al Bureij refugee camp, which was housing thousands of displaced individuals. Hospital officials confirmed that dozens more were injured in the strike.
A Scene of Destruction
Footage from the scene showed the aftermath of the attack, with a large crater where the school once stood. Rescuers searched through rubble, hoping to find survivors, while tents and belongings lay scattered around the site.
A woman, Safaa Al Khaldi, who was seeking refuge at the school, shared her grief. “Our children are starving, our children cannot find a piece of bread,” she said. Her son was among the injured. She expressed her frustration at the dire situation, blaming the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza, which has lasted for over three months. “What did we do wrong?” she questioned, her voice filled with despair.
IDF’s Justification for the Strike
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later claimed that the airstrike targeted “terrorists” operating within a Hamas command and control center. However, the IDF did not provide any further details on the operation.
On the ground, emotions ran high. A woman, her voice trembling with anger, directed her frustration at Hamas, calling for the militant group to leave the school. “Hamas should get out of the school. They are hiding between the people,” she cried out, adding, “What’s the fault of the children who are torn apart?”
Horrific Scenes from the Ground
Footage obtained by CNN showed the dead and injured near the school compound, with ambulances waiting to transport the wounded. One heart-wrenching image depicted a bloodied child being carried out of an ambulance on a stretcher.
This attack follows a dramatic statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who announced that the population of Gaza would be displaced to the south. His remarks came just a day after his security cabinet authorized a larger military operation in Gaza. Netanyahu stated, “There will be a movement of the population to protect them,” referring to the intensified campaign. Meanwhile, a far-right minister described it as a plan to “conquer” Gaza.
Casualties Mount as Military Operations Intensify
Since the Israeli cabinet approved the expanded military operation on Sunday, the death toll in Gaza has risen sharply. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that at least 48 Palestinians have been killed and another 142 injured. Since the resumption of Israeli bombardments on March 18, more than 2,500 Palestinians have died.
Healthcare System on the Brink
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate rapidly. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that 13 out of its 29 clinics have been forced to shut down, with the remaining clinics operating with limited resources. The UN health agency further revealed that only 21 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are functioning, and many of them are struggling to provide care. The ongoing blockade, which has prevented vital supplies such as food and medicine from entering Gaza, is pushing the healthcare system towards collapse.
A Community in Mourning
The impact of the latest airstrike was felt deeply by the local population. At the site of the bombing, a mother hugged her crying daughter. The young girl tearfully spoke about the loss of her friends. “My friend Leen is gone, my friend Yousra is gone, my friend Miral is gone,” she sobbed, adding to the growing grief in Gaza.
International Humanitarian Concerns
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised alarms over the worsening crisis in Gaza. In a statement, OCHA warned of a “deepening catastrophe” and stressed the need for international humanitarian law to be upheld. They called for the protection of civilians and for their basic needs—food, water, healthcare, and shelter—to be met, regardless of whether they remain in Gaza or are displaced.
As Gaza faces yet another devastating blow, the situation remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The world watches as the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold, demanding urgent action to alleviate the suffering.
