Vice President Harris calls for action amid rising civilian casualties in Gaza

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the recent Israeli airstrike on a school building that tragically resulted in the deaths of over 70 civilians.

The airstrike, which occurred on Saturday, targeted the al-Taba’een school, a shelter for displaced Palestinians, and has drawn widespread condemnation as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to intensify.

Harris expressed her deep concern over the “far too many” civilian deaths that have occurred “yet again,” echoing the Biden administration’s calls for a ceasefire and a hostage deal. While she acknowledged Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, she emphasized the critical need to minimize civilian casualties in the ongoing military operations.

The Israeli military defended the strike, asserting that the al-Taba’een school was being used as an active military facility by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, a claim that Hamas has vehemently denied. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that the operation specifically targeted Hamas operatives believed to be using the school as a command and control center.

This latest incident has sparked outrage not only among Palestinian leaders but also from Western nations and regional powers, including Egypt. Critics argue that Israel’s actions reflect a disregard for efforts to achieve a ceasefire and de-escalate the conflict. Fadl Naeem, director of al-Ahli Hospital, reported that approximately 70 victims had been identified following the strike, with many others rendered unrecognizable due to the severity of their injuries.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Security Agency claimed that at least 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were killed in the attack. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, mentioned that intelligence suggested the presence of Ashraf Juda, the commander of Islamic Jihad’s Central Camps Brigade, at the school during the airstrike, although it remains unclear whether he was among the casualties.

In stark contrast, casualty figures reported by Hamas do not align with the IDF’s information, raising questions about the accuracy of the conflicting reports. Hamas characterized the airstrike as a “horrific crime” and a dangerous escalation in what they describe as Israel’s “war of extermination against the Palestinian people.”

With the ongoing military campaign, the United Nations has reported extensive damage to educational facilities in Gaza, noting that 477 out of 564 school buildings have been hit or damaged since July 6. The al-Taba’een school, which housed over 1,000 displaced individuals, was serving as both a shelter and a mosque at the time of the strike, which occurred during dawn prayers. Eyewitness accounts painted a harrowing scene of chaos, with cries for help echoing in the aftermath of the attack.

The escalation of violence began following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the kidnapping of 251 individuals. Since then, the Israeli military response has claimed the lives of more than 39,790 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.