Al-Fakhura school shelling

For the 2023 Israeli attack on the same school, see Al-Fakhoora school airstrike.
Al-Fakhura school shelling
Part of the Gaza War (2008–2009)
Wall damaged in the shelling
LocationNear Al-Fakhura school, Jabalia Camp, Gaza Strip
Coordinates31°32′16″N 34°29′53″E / 31.5377°N 34.4980°E / 31.5377; 34.4980
Date6 January 2009
Attack type
artillery shells
Deathsbetween 12 and 43
Injured55 (Chan 4, Indep)[1][2]
44 (DCI)[3]
12 (IDF)[4]
PerpetratorsIsrael Defense Forces

The al-Fakhura school shelling was an Israeli military strike that took place during the Gaza War on 6 January 2009 near a United Nations-run school in the Jabalia Camp in the Gaza Strip. According to the UN and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), more than 40 people were killed. Israel reported the death toll as nine Hamas militants and three noncombatants with senior IDF officers stating that the death toll published by Hamas was "grossly exaggerated".[5] Israel stated it fired on the school in response to militant gunfire believed to be coming from al-Fakhura. A UN inquiry said that there was no firing from within the school and there were no explosives within the school, but could not establish if militants fired from the vicinity of the school.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Miller_caution was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Sengupta, Kim (2009-01-18). "Victorious, but vilified: Israel has 'destroyed its image and its soul'". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 2009-01-20.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference DCI was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference jpost_idf_releases was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Amos Harel (January 11, 2009). "IDF investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building in Gaza". Haaretz. Archived from the original on January 17, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009.