Israeli strike Gaza/ Gaza civilian toll/ Lebanon UN peacekeepers/ Hezbollah conflict/ Israel Hamas escalation/ Newslooks/ DEIR AL-BALAH/ Gaza Strip/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ An Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced residents in Gaza killed at least 27 people Thursday, as Israel continues its offensive targeting Hamas. Amid heightened conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israeli forces intensified their campaign. A nearby U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon reported being hit by Israeli tank fire, adding another dimension to the regional tensions.
27 Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza School Shelter – Quick Looks
- Gaza Airstrike: Israeli strike on Gaza school kills 27, including women and children.
- Israeli Justification: Israel claims militants were hiding in civilian areas but provided no evidence.
- UN Peacekeepers Hit: Israeli tank fire injures two U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
- Expanding Conflict: Hezbollah intensifies rocket attacks on Israel, backed by Iran’s regional support.
Israeli Strike on Gaza School Shelter Kills 27, Escalates Conflict
Deep Look
On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike targeting a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza’s Deir al-Balah city resulted in at least 27 fatalities, according to Palestinian health officials. The victims included women, children, and numerous civilians seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel’s military has maintained that it targets militant positions, though it provided no evidence linking the strike to active combatants.
Witnesses report the strike occurred during a meeting between school officials and aid representatives. The school building is typically guarded by civilian police affiliated with the Hamas-led government in Gaza. Since the start of the conflict, Hamas’ police presence in uniform has diminished as Israel targets key sites with airstrikes, although plainclothes security personnel continue to monitor the area.
UN Peacekeepers Affected as Lebanon Border Conflict Escalates
The conflict has also spread into Lebanon, where U.N. peacekeepers have found themselves in harm’s way amid escalating Israeli strikes. In Naqoura, an Israeli tank reportedly fired on a U.N. observation tower, injuring two peacekeepers and damaging communication infrastructure, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). UNIFIL claims that its bases have been hit repeatedly, including a recent strike near a bunker where personnel were sheltering. Israel’s military has stated it is investigating the incident.
Originally established to oversee Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, UNIFIL’s mandate expanded following the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Hezbollah’s establishment of military outposts near the border has remained a point of contention for Israel, which accuses the militant group of violating U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Increasingly Strained Relations Amid Civilian Toll
The Israeli assault on Gaza has now resulted in more than 42,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health officials. With many of Gaza’s civilian police and infrastructure destroyed, control of the region has become tenuous. The ongoing offensive has also displaced nearly 90% of Gaza’s population, forcing families to seek shelter multiple times as fighting spreads.
The conflict is further intensified by Hezbollah’s increased rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel, which began after the October 2023 assault on Israel by Hamas fighters. While Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel have caused limited casualties, they have disrupted daily life in northern Israeli towns. In response, Israel has launched an ongoing ground campaign along the Lebanese border, reportedly in an attempt to create a buffer and allow displaced Israeli residents to return home.
Growing Regional Crisis with Iranian Involvement
Iran has a vested interest in the outcome of the conflict, having long supported Hamas, Hezbollah, and other regional militant groups as part of an “Axis of Resistance” against Israel. Last week, Iran fired 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the targeted killing of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed a “lethal” response to Iran’s missile strikes, though specifics have not been disclosed.
As the situation escalates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden have been in close communication. U.S. officials have emphasized the need for open coordination, especially given the potential for further regional spillover. The U.S. has increased its own military presence in the region, preparing for a range of scenarios to safeguard its interests and allies.
In the midst of the expanding conflict, U.N. officials continue to call for restraint to avoid further civilian casualties and displacement. However, with rising hostilities and continued missile exchanges, prospects for a de-escalation appear slim, leaving many civilians in Gaza, Lebanon, and Israel vulnerable to further violence.
