Video shows girl running through burning Gaza school after Israeli bombing
GAZA, May 27: A heartbreaking video has emerged showing a child running through a burning building in Gaza after an Israeli airstrike targeted the Fahmi al-Jarjawi school, which was sheltering displaced Palestinians. The attack, which took place overnight, left more than 30 people dead, according to rescue teams on the ground.
The school, located in Gaza City, was one of over 200 sites struck by Israeli forces in the past 48 hours, as part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The school had been housing families displaced by the ongoing violence in the region. Videos and images of the aftermath of the attack, showing fires engulfing the building and significant destruction, have sparked widespread condemnation.
The footage of a young girl running through the building was shared by Israeli national broadcaster Kann News but later removed. It is unclear whether the child in the video survived the blaze. Other images from the site show the charred remains of both adults and children, highlighting the devastating consequences of the airstrike.
The Hamas-run government in Gaza has reported that 18 children were among those killed in the attack, which it has denounced as a "brutal massacre." In a statement, the government accused Israel of "deliberately and systematically" targeting shelters for displaced people, describing the assault as a violation of international law and an attempt to inflict maximum civilian casualties.
The Israeli military, however, defended the strike, claiming that it had targeted key Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives within a command center located in the area that had previously served as the Fahmi al-Jarjawi school. The Israeli military also stated that it had taken steps to minimize civilian casualties during the operation.
In addition to the airstrikes, the Israeli army issued a broad evacuation order for much of the southern Gaza Strip on Monday afternoon, urging residents to move to the Mawasi area on the coast. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said they would launch an "unprecedented attack" in the area to target terror organizations. The evacuation was presented as a precautionary measure, with the coastal region being designated as a "safer zone."
As of Monday, Gaza's health ministry reported that more than 50 people had been killed since dawn in new Israeli attacks. This includes civilian casualties from airstrikes in various regions of the Gaza Strip, including Jabalia, Nuseirat, and Khan Yunis. In one tragic incident, nine children were killed in an airstrike on the home of two doctors in Khan Yunis. The Israeli army stated that it was reviewing reports of the incident.
The international community has strongly criticized the ongoing violence, particularly Israel's military actions in Gaza. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern over the humanitarian toll of the airstrikes, stating that the scale of civilian suffering could no longer be justified as part of Israel's fight against Hamas terrorism. Merz announced plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week, urging a reconsideration of the military approach.
The United Nations has reported that at least 3,785 people have died in Gaza since the collapse of a ceasefire on March 18, bringing the overall death toll to nearly 54,000, with the vast majority of casualties being civilians. The conflict has also resulted in widespread displacement and devastation throughout the region.
In the wake of the violence, there have been calls for a ceasefire. Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he wanted to end the war in Gaza "as quickly as possible" and indicated that a ceasefire could be announced soon, with the potential release of Israeli hostages as part of the deal.
Meanwhile, efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza continue amid growing criticism of the blockade imposed by Israel. On Sunday, the Israeli Defense Ministry allowed 107 aid trucks to enter Gaza, but critics argue that this is insufficient to address the dire needs of the population.
The United Nations and various international aid agencies have been calling for an increase in the volume of humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The World Food Programme has emphasized the urgent need for food aid, as hunger and insecurity continue to rise in the region.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, and efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and ensure the delivery of aid are ongoing amidst the backdrop of escalating violence and international pressure on both Israel and Hamas to end the conflict.
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