The bombing specifically struck the entrance of al-Awdah School, which was serving as a refuge for displaced persons in Abasan al-Kobra town, east of Khan Younes. The attack has reportedly killed scores of people and left many others wounded.
Israel's military actions continue amid a wider offensive on Gaza that has drawn severe international criticism. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had previously issued a binding order for Israel to cease its military operations in Rafah, underscoring concerns over potential violations of international obligations, including those outlined in the Genocide Convention.
Since October 7, the conflict has exacted a devastating toll, with at least 38,243 Palestinians killed and over 88,033 others injured. Tragically, an estimated 10,000 individuals remain missing and are feared dead beneath the rubble of their destroyed homes across the Strip.
Reports from Palestinian and international humanitarian agencies indicate that the majority of those killed and injured are women and children, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing violence.
The Israeli offensive has also led to the forced displacement of nearly two million people from various parts of Gaza, with a significant concentration of displaced individuals seeking refuge in the densely populated southern city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border. This mass displacement marks the largest exodus in Palestine since the 1948 Nakba.
The situation continues to evolve amid calls from global organizations and leaders for an immediate cessation of hostilities and intensified efforts to protect civilians caught in the conflict. (ILKHA)