Al-Fakhoora school airstrikes

For the 2009 Israeli attack on the same school, see Al-Fakhura school incident.
2023 al-Fakhoora school airstrikes
Part of the Jabalia refugee camp airstrikes within the Israel–Hamas war
Al-Fakhoora is located in the Gaza Strip
Al-Fakhoora
Al-Fakhoora
Location within the Gaza Strip
LocationJabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip
Date
  • 4 November 2023
  • 18 November 2023
Targetal-Fakhoora school
Attack type
Airstrike
Deaths65+
Injured70+
Perpetrators Israel

Israel conducted two airstrikes on the al-Fakhoora school in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, which was being used as a shelter by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA).[1] On 4 November 2023, an Israeli airstrike killed at least 15 people and injured 70.[2]

An Israeli missile fell on al-Fukhora school in the morning of 4 November, when thousands of people were living in the school at the time of the attack.[1][3] At least 15 people were killed and 70 injured in the attack. Children are also among the dead. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that dozens more were injured.[3][1] Arab leaders publicly pressed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.[4] However, Blinken pushed back, saying the ceasefire would only allow Hamas to regroup.[4]

A second airstrike on the school occurred in the early hours of the morning on 18 November. Journalists on the scene reported dead bodies everywhere, suggesting the strike may have been an Israeli message to civilians to flee to the southern Gaza Strip.[5] A video clip surfacing following what has been described as a "massacre" depicts a man walking through several rooms where dozens of corpses can be seen, and distress can be heard throughout the school.[6] The second strike killed at least 50 people.[7] Martin Griffiths stated the strike was "tragic news" and that "Shelters are a place for safety. Schools are a place for learning."[7] Tamara Alrifai, a spokesperson for UNRWA, stated, "What we're seeing is another one of these horrific incidents, where civilians, people who sought shelter in a protected UN building, are paying the price."[5] The IDF stated it had killed multiple "terrorists."[8] Philippe Lazzarini stated, "These attacks cannot become commonplace."[9] The Qatar Foreign Ministry stated that "an urgent international investigation and independent investigators to probe Israel's targeting of schools and hospitals in Gaza" were needed.[10]

  1. ^ a b c "Israel ramps up attacks in Gaza, striking schools, hospitals and mosques". Al jazeera. Archived from the original on 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  2. ^ "Israeli airstrike on school kills 15, injures 70 at UN refugee camp". Daily Sabah. 4 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Arab leaders urge ceasefire to end Gaza 'madness'. US says it would allow Hamas to regroup". SBS World News. 5 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Lewis, Simon; Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (4 November 2023). "Arab leaders press Blinken for Gaza cease-fire after school blasts". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  5. ^ a b "Dozens killed as Israeli forces attack two schools in northern Gaza". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  6. ^ "تقديرات بسقوط 200 شهيد.. مجزرة جديدة في مدرسة الفاخورة بغزة" [Estimates of 200 martyrs...a new massacre at Al-Fakhoura School in Gaza]. Aljazeera (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  7. ^ a b "Hamas Health Ministry Says More Than 80 Dead In Strikes On Refugee Camp". Barron's. Agence France Presse. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  8. ^ McDaniel, Justine. "After school bombing, IDF says it killed 'terrorists' in Jabalya". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  9. ^ "UN Palestinian Refugee Agency Condemns 'Horrifying' School Attacks". Barron's. Agence France Presse. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Qatar denounces Israeli attack on Gaza school". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.