An Israeli airstrike on a school in central Gaza, which was being used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians, has killed 18 people. The United Nations (UN) reported that six of its staff members were among those killed during the bombing that happed Wednesday, September 11.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said this incident marked the highest single-day death toll among its staff.
Two airstrikes targeted the al-Jaouni school and the surrounding area in Nuseirat. "Among those killed were the shelter's manager and other team members who were assisting displaced individuals," the UN agency posted on X.
Israel's military stated that the air force had conducted "a precise strike on terrorists operating inside a Hamas command-and-control center" located on the school grounds but did not provide additional details on the outcome or who was targeted.
According to the Hamas government's media office, approximately 5,000 displaced people were taking refuge at the school when it was hit.
UNRWA also stated that this school had been struck five times since the conflict began and was previously home to around 12,000 displaced individuals, primarily women and children. (Related: Gaza death toll now over 40K; 69% of casualties are women and children.)
Israeli forces have hit several schools in recent months, claiming that militants were using them for operations and hiding among civilians, allegations that Hamas denies.
The strike also injured at least 18 people, according to local health officials. An IDF spokesperson stated that before the attack, several measures were taken to minimize civilian casualties, including precision weapons, aerial imagery and intelligence gathering.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack. "What's happening in Gaza is totally unacceptable. Six of our UNRWA colleagues are among those killed," he said.
The Israeli military insisted that it takes steps to avoid harming civilians and accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields, which Hamas denied.
Earlier on Wednesday, another airstrike in the southern city of Khan Younis killed 11 people, including six siblings ranging from 21 months to 21 years of age, according to hospital reports.
Ceasefire efforts have repeatedly stalled
The ongoing war in Gaza has entered its 11th month, with more than 41,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza's health ministry. Efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly stalled.
Hamas reiterated its readiness for an "immediate" ceasefire based on a previous U.S. proposal, and held talks in Doha to discuss Gaza's situation.
CIA Director William Burns, the chief U.S. negotiator, mentioned a more detailed ceasefire proposal would be forthcoming. A previous ceasefire plan by President Joe Biden in June proposed a three-phase truce in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.
However, issues like control over the Philadelphi corridor – a key area on Gaza's border with Egypt – remain unresolved, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing not to relinquish control of the strategic area despite internal and international criticism.
On Tuesday, September 10, a strike in the Jabaliya refugee camp killed nine people, including six women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
In a separate incident, two Israeli soldiers died late Tuesday when a military helicopter crashed near Rafah in Gaza's south.
Eight other soldiers were injured, with officials stating the helicopter was on a mission to evacuate a wounded soldier when the crash occurred. Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar labeled it an "operational accident" and confirmed an investigation had been launched.
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