Grim details emerged on May 7, 2025, of Israeli airstrikes on a UN-run school in Gaza that was sheltering around 2,000 displaced people. The attacks reportedly killed 30 Palestinians, including women and children. The UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, stated that Israeli forces struck the school in Al Bureij, Middle Gaza, twice on the evening of May 6, first at approximately 6 PM and again at 10:20 PM. The school sustained severe damage, resulting in a fire that complicated evacuation efforts. Residents had to create a hole in the wall to rescue the dead and wounded, according to UNRWA.
Since the onset of the conflict between Hamas and Israel on October 7, 2023, over 400 schools have been hit directly, as confirmed by satellite imagery analyzed by the UN. The aftermath of the attack revealed a harrowing scene with walls and floors blown out, as surviving parents and children desperately searched for their belongings amid the blood and body parts of their relatives. UNRWA reported that many of those affected had already been displaced numerous times due to the ongoing war.
In a related development, UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned Israel's plans to forcibly transfer Gaza's population to a small area in the south of the Strip. He expressed concerns that such actions would make life for Palestinians increasingly incompatible with their existence in Gaza. Türk stated, "There is no reason to believe that doubling down on military strategies, which have not led to a durable resolution, will now succeed." He warned that expanding the offensive would likely result in further mass displacement and civilian casualties.
Furthermore, independent human rights experts appointed by the UN emphasized the urgent need for international action in light of escalating atrocities in Gaza. They criticized the ongoing military actions, noting that no one is spared from the violence, including children and health professionals. The experts pointed out that on March 18 alone, 600 Palestinians were reportedly killed, 400 of whom were children.
In the occupied West Bank, conditions for Palestinian communities have worsened due to violence from Israeli forces and settlers. On May 5, 2025, Israeli forces demolished over 30 structures in Khallet Athaba, displacing nearly a dozen families. UN aid teams have raised alarms about the deteriorating situation, which they attribute to a strong push to uproot Palestinians from the area.
In a statement released on May 7, Amnesty International urged the Israeli government to abandon its plans for expanded military operations, including the annexation of territory and the forcible displacement of Palestinians. The organization highlighted that nearly 70% of the Gaza Strip is currently under evacuation orders or designated as no-go zones. Amnesty's Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy, and Campaigns, Erika Guevara Rosas, stated that any moves to confine Palestinians into closed areas would constitute war crimes.
As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, the humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels. The ongoing siege has blocked the entry of essential aid for over two months, exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population. The UN’s humanitarian agency (OCHA) has warned of a deepening catastrophe, stressing that civilians must be protected and their essential needs met, regardless of their location in Gaza.
On May 6, 2025, at least 48 people, including seven children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on school compounds sheltering displaced Palestinians. The strikes occurred in the Al Bureij camp, where video footage revealed a large crater and the devastation left in the wake of the attacks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the strikes targeted “terrorists” within a Hamas command and control center. However, eyewitness accounts highlighted the plight of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, with one woman expressing her anger towards Hamas for using civilian infrastructure.
On May 7, 2025, Israeli airstrikes across Gaza resulted in at least 92 fatalities, including women, children, and two journalists. The strikes targeted crowded market areas and schools, leading to widespread panic among families of hostages still held in Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for the immediate return of all captives and urged the government to halt military operations until their safe release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the military campaign would intensify, stating that there is doubt about the survival of three hostages previously believed to be alive. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, with estimates suggesting over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since the resumption of hostilities in March 2025.
As the Israeli security Cabinet approved a plan to widen the military offensive in Gaza, dubbed "Gideon's Chariots," concerns about the humanitarian implications have mounted. The plan includes the forcible displacement of the majority of Gaza's population to southern areas and the establishment of a new mechanism for aid distribution, which has drawn widespread condemnation from humanitarian organizations.
In summary, the conflict in Gaza has reached a critical juncture, with civilian casualties mounting and humanitarian conditions deteriorating rapidly. The international community is urged to take decisive action to address the ongoing crisis and protect vulnerable populations caught in the conflict.
