• Israeli airstrikes killed at least 100 Palestinians in Gaza, including 27 at the Dar al-Arqam school.
• The Israeli government justifies its strikes, claiming to target Hamas militants and their infrastructure.
• Ongoing military operations have led to significant casualties and displacement among civilians in Gaza.
• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens as recent strikes provoke international condemnation.

DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — A recent HuffPost report highlights the tragic aftermath of Israeli airstrikes that left at least 100 Palestinians dead across Gaza, including a catastrophic attack on the Dar al-Arqam school in Gaza City, where 27 individuals sought refuge. Among the dead were 14 children and five women, with many of the 70 injured suffering critical wounds, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

The Israeli military has stated that its operations aim to pressure Hamas to release hostages and dismantle the group’s command infrastructure in Gaza. Authorities reported that the strike on the school, which had turned into a shelter for displaced families, coincided with broader military actions characterized as a response to ongoing threats from Hamas. These claims are met with skepticism by local medical officials and humanitarian groups who argue that Israel does not consistently distinguish between combatants and civilians in its military operations.

Witnesses recount chaotic scenes following the strike, as first responders rushed to evacuate casualties amidst the debris. “We were surprised when the school was bombed,” said a survivor sheltering at the school. The strikes occurred amid a larger escalation of military operations, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently expanding ground activities in northern Gaza, particularly in the Shejaiya area.

Israel issued warnings for civilian evacuation in advance of military operations, citing the need to protect residents from potential harm. However, many displaced individuals are left with scant options for safe refuge as ongoing airstrikes continuously exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. The United Nations reports that over 280,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the breakdown of a ceasefire in mid-March. Meanwhile, the blockade on food and humanitarian supplies by Israeli forces contributes to acute shortages experienced by the population.

The IDF maintains that its operations are justified as necessary actions against Hamas, which has been accused of hiding military assets among civilian infrastructure. Yet advocacy groups argue that tactics utilized during these military actions could potentially violate international humanitarian laws. The escalation of violence has heightened calls for accountability and transparency regarding civilian casualties and the necessity of humanitarian aid in wartime.

As the conflict continues, calls for ceasefire negotiations grow louder both domestically and internationally, yet Hamas has indicated refusal to engage under Israel’s conditions, highlighting the complexity of the situation. The war has now claimed more than 50,500 lives in Gaza since its commencement on October 7, 2023, raising urgent questions about the humanitarian impact of continued armed conflict in the region. Accusations of war crimes are increasingly being leveled against both sides amid ongoing hostilities.

For more details on the unfolding situation and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, visit coverage from BBC, NY Times, and ABC News.