Al-Maghazi UNRWA school airstrike

Gaza Strip July 2014 a constant state of emergency 1

Al-Maghazi UNRWA school airstrike refers to an incident that occurred during the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, where an airstrike targeted a school operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.

Background

The 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict was a military operation launched by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against various militant groups in the Gaza Strip, including Hamas. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza.

The Incident

On July 30, 2014, the Al-Maghazi UNRWA school, which was being used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians, was struck by an airstrike. The school was clearly marked as a UN facility, and its coordinates had been provided to the IDF to avoid such incidents. Despite these precautions, the airstrike resulted in numerous casualties, including both fatalities and injuries among the civilians taking refuge in the school.

Casualties

The airstrike led to the deaths of at least 15 people and injured dozens more. The majority of the victims were women and children who had sought shelter in the school to escape the ongoing hostilities.

Reactions

The incident drew widespread international condemnation. The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, described the attack as "outrageous" and a "moral outrage and a criminal act." Various human rights organizations called for an independent investigation into the incident.

Aftermath

Following the airstrike, the UNRWA called for accountability and urged all parties to respect the sanctity of UN facilities. The incident highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the dangers faced by civilians during the conflict.

See Also

• 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict
• United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
• Gaza Strip
• Hamas
• Israel Defense Forces