Deadly Israeli attack on UN-run school-turned-shelter sparks global outrage
Al JazeeraSep 22
Israeli Strike on Gaza School Kills 18, Including UN Staff
Above: People mourn as they receive the dead bodies of victims of an Israeli strike on April 11, 2024, in Rafah, Gaza. Image copyright: Ahmad Hasaballah/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
An Israeli airstrike on the al-Jaouni school in central Gaza on Wednesday reportedly killed at least 18 people, including six members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
According to the UNRWA, 12K Palestinians — mostly women and children — were sheltered in the school. Al Jazeera reported that it was "hit at a time when people were waiting for food."
The Spin
Pro-Palestine narrative
With its endless and senseless killing, Israel has been testing the limits of what is "acceptable." A lack of accountability allows Tel Aviv to blatantly and unabatedly kill thousands of people it forcefully displaced following its genocidal campaign in Gaza. The longer impunity prevails, the more international humanitarian law will become irrelevant. This carnage must immediately stop.
Pro-Israel narrative
Though it wants to eliminate Hamas, the IDF takes innumerable steps to mitigate the risk of harming civilians. However, the al-Jaouni school was being used as a base for planning attacks on Israel. Those killed were terrorists, not aid workers, using women and children as human shields. Israel will continue its military operation against Hamas militants who have blood on their hands.