Gaza, Palestine — School attacks on schools across the whole of Gaza have been continuous, hitting displaced families across the borders for almost two years, with no place safe to turn. Attacks on the schools have been “constant and intentional,” according to reports from humanitarian groups and witnesses, undermining the protections afforded under the norms enshrined in international law.
UNRWA Schools Under Fire
 |
Continual Operations on Schools in Gaza |
One of the hardest hit is UNRWA schools in refugee camps like Shati, which had become severely overcrowded as families sought refuge. Once designed for safe educational spaces, these schools have morphed into makeshift shelters for tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians.
“These schools were supposedly supposed to be protected by international humanitarian law. But in the past 23 months we’ve not seen that occur,” one witness said.
Warfare Tactics Going Escalated
And those attacks are reportedly being carried out by:
Israeli fighter jets
Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
Suicide drones, a newer and more destructive form of warfare
This escalation has further magnified fear among civilians, many of whom fled destroyed homes, only to find new threats in the very places they believed would be their sanctuary.
Families With No Safe Haven
The humanitarian costs are staggering. Families that have once resided in apartments are packed into school classrooms and hallways. Once these schools are bombed, inhabitants have nowhere to flee.
“For many families, these facilities have become the last refuge,” one humanitarian worker said. “But yet they are beaten and returned to the street with no safe place to go.”
Violation of International Protections
Under the Fourth Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law, schools, hospitals and civilian shelters should be protected in times of conflict. The ongoing strikes on schools underline a disturbing reality which human rights groups say would constitute war crimes.
The Road Ahead
The situation in Gaza illustrates the need for more international censure and immediate humanitarian aid. As the conflict comes to a 23rd month, the level of destruction in civilian infrastructure raises vital questions about the future of protection for displaced people in conflict zones.