Summary
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) incorrectly identified the targeted school during a significant air strike on September 21, 2024, which resulted in multiple civilian casualties, including children. The IDF initially stated that it had targeted a Hamas command center located at Al-Falah school, but local sources and subsequent investigations confirmed that the strike actually hit Al-Zeitoun C school, which was housing displaced families.
The air strike killed at least 22 people, including 13 children and six women, raising serious concerns about the IDF’s claim of precision targeting. The school had been closed during the conflict but was being used as a shelter for those displaced by the ongoing violence. Eyewitness accounts describe horrific scenes of devastation, with families torn apart and significant injuries reported among survivors. The IDF’s misidentification of the school has drawn criticism, as it underscores the risks civilians face in conflict zones, particularly when military operations are conducted in areas where civilian infrastructure is being used for shelter. Furthermore, this incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on educational facilities in Gaza, where over half of the schools used as shelters have reportedly been directly hit during the current conflict.
Gaza school strike which killed 22 targeted one Hamas figure, BBC told
Oct. 2 / The Bbc / Highlights the tragic human impact of the air strike, featuring firsthand accounts and a detailed account of the IDF's misidentification, which adds depth to the ongoing discourse about civilian safety in conflict. “ Warning: This story contains details which some people may find upsetting An Israeli air strike that killed multiple children at a former school twelve days...
Palestinian sources: IDF attack on school building causes deaths
Sep. 22 / Yahoo! News / Presents a concise overview of the IDF's justification for the attack, emphasizing the claim of targeting terrorists, but lacks the emotional depth and eyewitness perspectives that could enrich the narrative of civilian suffering. “ At least seven people have died and others have been injured in an Israeli attack on a former school building in the north of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian...