Israel hits four Gaza schools in four days

In the past four days, Israel has struck four schools in Gaza where hundreds of civilians sought refuge, resulting in the deaths of over 50 Palestinians, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees has said.

The latest deadly strike hit a school turned shelter in southern Gaza on July 9 as Israeli forces in the war-ravaged territory's main city pushed on with a major offensive that has again displaced Palestinians.

A hospital source in Khan Younis in southern Gaza said at least 29 people were killed when the school was hit in nearby Abasan.

The Israeli military said its air force had carried out a strike in the area targeting a "terrorist" and would review the incident.

Three previous Israeli strikes since July 6 on schools across Gaza used by displaced Palestinians have killed a total of at least 20 people, according to officials and rescuers.

Condemning the attack, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said on July 10 that Israel has targeted two-thirds of UNRWA schools since the war began last October.

Lazzarini emphasized that schools in Gaza have ceased to be sanctuaries of education and beacons of hope for children, instead transforming into "overcrowded shelters." He remarked that Gaza is unequivocally unsuitable for children.

"The blatant disregard for international humanitarian law cannot become the new norm," he asserted, reiterating his call for a ceasefire.

Türkiye also condemned the Israeli attack on the school, saying that the mass graves discovered in largely destroyed Khan Younis and the targeting of four schools in as many days are "concrete evidence" that Israel seeks to destroy the Palestinian people.

Germany said Wednesday that a deadly Israeli strike on a school in southern Gaza being used as...