UN Concern Over Israeli Attack on School in Gaza; Israel: It Was a Gathering Place for Hamas 'Terrorists'

Following an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Joni school in Nuseirat, central Gaza, on Wednesday, September 21, the United Nations expressed concern, while Israel responded by stating that Hamas operatives were holed up in the school. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the United Nations, criticized the airstrike, noting that this was the fifth airstrike on a school in the Nuseirat refugee camp since the war in Gaza began. Concurrently, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reported the deaths of six of its staff members in the Israeli attack on the Al-Joni school, stating that the director of the UNRWA shelter and other members of the aid group for Palestinian refugees were among the casualties. The agency emphasized the need to protect schools and other civilian infrastructure, urging all parties involved to never use schools or surrounding areas for military or combat purposes. The Israeli army, which has repeatedly accused Hamas of using schools and UN facilities as cover for its terrorist activities, stated that Hamas operatives had also established a command center in the Al-Joni school and used it to plan and execute attacks against Israel. In the early months of the war with Hamas, Israel also accused a group of UN staff of colluding with Hamas operatives in the October 7 attack by this group on Israel, an allegation that the UN could not refute. The conflict between the Israeli army and Islamist militants of Hamas began on October 7 of last year with an attack by this group, supported by the Islamic Republic, on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of 250 others. Despite international efforts to end it, the war continues and has caused widespread devastation in the Gaza Strip. The UN reported that 187,000 children in Gaza received polio vaccinations. Palestinian Islamic Jihad's rocket fire prompted Israel to ask residents of northern Gaza to evacuate the area. An internal UN investigation indicated that nine UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the attacks on October 15. Guterres stated that the 'United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East' has no alternative and called for support for UNRWA. The Israeli army targeted a school in Gaza, claiming it was a 'Hamas command center.' Leaders of the 'Group of 7' called for the continued 'unimpeded' operation of UNRWA. Approximately 40 people were killed in the attack on a school in Gaza; Israel claimed it was a site of Hamas and Islamic Jihad operations.