In yet another tragic incident, the Israeli occupation forces targeted a shelter for displaced civilians during a wedding ceremony, killing six Palestinians and injuring five others, some critically.
The attack involved artillery shelling on a school being used as a displacement shelter in Al-Tuffah neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, violating the ceasefire agreement in place since 10 October.
Medical sources confirmed that the victims were transported to the Baptist Hospital in central Gaza, with three in critical condition and two suffering moderate injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that an Israeli occupation tank advanced into the neighbourhood and approached the school before launching its shells, resulting in a high number of casualties.
They also said Israeli occupation forces prevented ambulance and civil defence teams from reaching the site for over two hours, severely delaying rescue operations.
This incident adds to a long list of ceasefire violations by Tel Aviv since the agreement’s implementation, with over 738 documented breaches and more than 395 Palestinian fatalities.
Since 7 October 2023, Israeli occupation, backed by the United States and European powers, has waged a two-year campaign of genocide in the Gaza Strip. The onslaught has left over 70,000 Palestinians dead and 171,000 wounded, most of them women and children. The destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure is estimated to require £55 billion ($70 billion) for reconstruction, according to UN estimates.
Targeting shelters and schools housing displaced civilians constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, as these are protected sites that must not be attacked.
Blocking emergency teams from reaching the wounded further violates international humanitarian obligations and reflects a blatant disregard for the right to life and protection of civilians.
The international community must urgently uphold its responsibilities by ensuring the protection of civilians, safeguarding humanitarian centres, and holding the occupying forces accountable for their ongoing violations of international law in Gaza.
