Gaza airstrikes/ Israeli military actions/ U.N. school Gaza/ Newslooks/ Washington/ D.C./ U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States will continue urging Israel to spare humanitarian sites in Gaza following an airstrike that killed 14 people at a U.N. school, including six U.N. staff members. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in extensive casualties, with over 41,000 Palestinians killed since the war began. Meanwhile, Turkey has launched its own investigation into the killing of a Turkish-American activist in the West Bank by Israeli forces, and Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza and Syria.
U.S. Urges Israel to Protect Humanitarian Sites Amid Gaza Airstrikes: Quick Looks
- U.S. Pressure: Blinken reiterated the U.S. commitment to urging Israel to protect humanitarian sites in Gaza.
- Israeli Airstrike: An airstrike on a U.N. school in Gaza killed 14 people, including six U.N. workers.
- Turkish Investigation: Turkey has opened a probe into the death of a Turkish-American activist shot by Israeli forces.
- Syrian Airstrike: Israeli strikes in southern Syria killed two people, continuing its efforts to prevent Iranian entrenchment.
Blinken Urges Israel to Protect Humanitarian Sites After Deadly Gaza Airstrike
Deep Look
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed Thursday that the United States would continue pressing Israel to ensure the protection of humanitarian sites in the Gaza Strip. This statement comes after an Israeli airstrike on a U.N. school complex sheltering displaced Palestinians killed 14 people, including six U.N. staff members.
Speaking at a press conference in Warsaw, Blinken emphasized the need for humanitarian sites to be protected, underscoring the U.S. commitment to raising these concerns with Israel amid ongoing airstrikes in Gaza.
Deadly Strike on U.N. School in Gaza
On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike hit the al-Jaouni Preparatory Boys School in Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, leading to the deaths of 14 people, including two children and six staffers of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This is considered the deadliest single incident for UNRWA staff since Israel’s military operations began in response to the Hamas attack on October 7.
UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini described the devastating toll the war has taken on humanitarian workers. “This latest incident is yet another stark reminder of the dangers our staff face on a daily basis as they work to provide life-saving assistance to those displaced by the conflict.”
The Israeli military claimed that the airstrike targeted Hamas militants planning attacks from within the school. Blinken, while blaming Hamas for using civilians as shields, reiterated the importance of protecting such sites, saying the incident “underscores the urgency” for a ceasefire.
U.A.E. Evacuates Wounded Palestinians
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) evacuated nearly 100 wounded and critically ill Palestinians from Gaza to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical treatment. Among those evacuated were children with severe injuries and conditions such as brain tumors and amputations. This is the largest evacuation of Palestinian medical patients since the war started, facilitated through Israel’s Ramon Airport. With limited exceptions, Israel has barred most Palestinians from leaving Gaza throughout the war.
Turkish-American Activist’s Death Sparks Turkish Probe
Adding to the growing international concern, Turkey announced an investigation into the death of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American activist killed by Israeli forces during a protest in the occupied West Bank. Turkish authorities plan to pursue an independent probe to determine the circumstances surrounding the activist’s death.
Israeli Strikes Hit Syria
In another development, an Israeli airstrike hit a car in the Khan Arnabeh village in southern Syria, killing two people, according to Syrian pro-government media and a war-monitoring group. This marks another strike near the Golan Heights, an area Israel captured in 1967 and later annexed. Israel claims these strikes target Iran-linked militants attempting to establish a foothold in Syria. The Israeli government has not commented on the strike, but it follows a pattern of efforts to counter Iranian influence in the region.
Escalation and Calls for Ceasefire
The ongoing conflict, triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel, continues to escalate with devastating consequences. More than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The death toll does not distinguish between civilians and fighters, raising concerns over the humanitarian impact of Israel’s military actions.
Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people in Israel during their initial attack on October 7 and abducted an estimated 250 more. Of those hostages, about 100 remain in Hamas custody, with a third presumed dead.
As international pressure mounts, Blinken reiterated that the U.S. is committed to pushing for a ceasefire while balancing the security needs of Israel and the protection of civilians in Gaza.
Conclusion
The United States remains in dialogue with Israel to protect civilian lives and ensure humanitarian sites are spared from further destruction. At the same time, the conflict’s widening impact—from Syria to the West Bank—continues to draw international scrutiny. With the war showing no signs of abating, the global community, led by figures like Blinken, is calling for more restraint and an eventual ceasefire to stop the suffering on all sides.
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