UN: Israeli strikes on Gaza schools are extermination

Israel’s attacks on Gaza schools and cultural areas constitutes war crimes and the crime of extermination, according to a report by Middle East Eye via Reuters on June 11th.

A UN investigation found that Israeli forces damaged or destroyed over 90% of Gaza’s educational facilities through air strikes, shelling, burning and demolitions. The destruction has prevented 658,000 children from accessing education over the last two years.

The UN Commission also reported that Israeli forces harmed more than half of Gaza’s religious and cultural sites. It documented the military use of schools by Israeli troops and noted similar actions by Hamas in one instance. The report urges Israel to stop targeting educational and cultural institutions and comply with international law.

Gaza’s civilian death toll continues to rise amid escalating attacks. On May 26th, Israeli airstrikes killed over 50 Palestinians in separate attacks across Gaza, including strikes on a school, as Al Jazeera reported and Maghrebi cited.

In Gaza City, three missiles hit the Fahmi al-Jarjawi School, where displaced people had taken shelter, killing 36 individuals, who were mostly women and children. In Jabalia, an airstrike destroyed a home, killing 16 from one family.

Hospitals reported numerous injuries, while critical shortages of medicine and aid continue to worsen across the Gaza Strip.

Amid the ongoing devastation in Gaza, The New Arab and agencies, reported on May 8th that Israel permanently closed six schools operated by United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem.

The closures affected over 800 Palestinian students and began after a 30-day notice period. Israeli police and education officials entered the schools during classes, forcing staff to dismiss students. UNRWA condemned the action as illegal.

Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye via Reuters, The New Arab and agencies, Maghrebi.org