In the early hours of May 26, 2025, Israeli air strikes hit a school in northern Gaza that had become a shelter for hundreds of displaced families. According to Palestinian officials, at least 33 people were killed in the attack on the Fahmi al-Jarjawi school, located in the Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City. Many of the victims were women and children, and the attack caused severe injuries to many more. Across the region, officials reported that more than 50 people lost their lives overnight in various strikes, including another deadly attack on a home in Jabalia.
What Happened?
The school was packed with families who had fled their homes due to ongoing fighting. People were sleeping when the strike happened, and the impact set classrooms on fire, engulfing belongings and trapping people inside. Videos from the scene show children wandering through thick smoke, and people outside desperately trying to break windows to rescue those trapped. Many survivors described the horror of seeing burned bodies and hearing cries for help.
The Israeli military said the attack targeted a command and control center used by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, claiming that the site housed “key terrorists.” They stated that they took steps to avoid harming civilians but blamed Hamas for operating in residential and shelter areas. The military also emphasized that its goal is to destroy or disarm Hamas and return hostages taken in the October 7, 2023, attack.
The Human Cost
The strike left behind a scene of devastation. Survivors spoke of the unbearable smell of burning and the sight of charred bodies, including children. One child, a six-year-old girl named Ward Jalal Al-Shaikh Khalil, was filmed escaping the blaze, but her mother and two siblings did not survive. Many families lost multiple members in a single night. The attack on the home in Jabalia claimed 19 lives from a single family, and there were reports of a tent camp in Gaza City being hit as well.
Health officials in Gaza said the school was hit three times while people slept, setting their belongings on fire and killing a father and his five children among others. The total number of dead and injured is still being counted, but local sources say the true toll may be even higher as rescue teams continue to search through the rubble.
International Reaction and Concerns
The attack has drawn strong reactions from around the world. International organizations and governments have expressed deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties, especially women and children, and the targeting of places like schools and hospitals that are meant to be safe havens. Aid agencies say that getting humanitarian help into Gaza is extremely difficult, and the needs of the population are far greater than the supplies being allowed in.
Germany, a close ally of Israel, said that the recent attacks in Gaza are causing harm to civilians that can no longer be justified as part of the fight against Hamas. Many countries are urging both sides to protect civilians and find a way to end the violence.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
Conflicts in Gaza have been ongoing for many years, but the current war, which began in October 2023, has been especially deadly. The Israeli military says it is fighting to protect its citizens and to rescue hostages taken by Hamas. At the same time, Hamas and other groups say they are resisting what they see as occupation and oppression.
When fighting happens in crowded areas like Gaza, where many people are forced to live close together because of the small size of the territory, it is very hard to avoid civilian casualties. Schools, hospitals, and homes often become shelters for those fleeing violence, but these places are not always safe. Both sides blame each other for the harm to civilians, but the result is the same: innocent people suffer the most.
Looking Ahead
The latest attack on the school is a reminder of how dangerous life has become for people in Gaza. Many families have lost their homes and loved ones, and children are growing up in a world full of fear and loss. The international community continues to call for peace and for both sides to protect civilians, but so far, there is no end in sight to the violence.
For now, the people of Gaza remain trapped in a cycle of war and displacement, hoping for a day when schools are places of learning and safety, not death and destruction.
Why This Matters
The tragedy at the Gaza school is not just a story about numbers and politics. It is about real people—children who lost their parents, parents who lost their children, and families who have nowhere left to go. The world is watching, and many hope that leaders on all sides will find a way to stop the fighting and build a future where all children can learn and grow in peace.
In Simple Words
Imagine your school, where you go to learn and play with your friends, suddenly being hit by bombs while you are sleeping. That is what happened to the children in Gaza. Many of them lost their families and their homes. People all over the world are sad and want to help, but it is very hard to stop the fighting. The most important thing is to remember that every child deserves to be safe and happy, no matter where they live.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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