Israel Attacks School in Gaza: 25 Dead, Including Children and Journalists; Spain Demands Sanctions Against Israel

On Sunday night, Israeli forces launched attacks across multiple locations in Gaza, including a school being used as a refugee shelter. At least 25 people were killed, with several victims reportedly burned alive due to the fire that engulfed the facility.

According to Al Jazeera, the targeted building was a kindergarten repurposed as a refugee camp.

Among the deceased were two Red Cross workers, a journalist, and several children. One of the victims was 11-year-old Yaqeen Hammad, reportedly the youngest influencer in Gaza.

Spain Urges Global Sanctions Against Israel

In response to the escalating violence, Spain has called on countries worldwide to impose sanctions on Israel.

Doctor Loses Nine Children in Israeli Strike

Just three days earlier, on May 23, an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis claimed the lives of nine children belonging to Dr. Al-Najjar. One child was critically injured, and the doctor’s husband sustained serious injuries.

Health officials reported that the deceased children were aged between 7 months and 12 years.

Over 670 Targets Hit by Israeli Forces in May

The Israeli military confirmed it has been conducting large-scale operations in Gaza, targeting more than 670 Hamas locations between May 14 and May 20. These strikes have resulted in the deaths of approximately 512 individuals in Gaza.

Israel Claims Control Over 77% of Gaza

According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel now controls 77% of the Gaza Strip. The office accused Israel of committing genocide and called on the United Nations and international community for immediate intervention.

The statement claimed Israeli forces have taken over northern and southern Gaza using buffer zones, security corridors, and intense shelling.

Netzarim Corridor Severely Restricts Civilian Movement

The media office stated that Israel has effectively divided Gaza into two parts via the Netzarim Corridor, making civilian movement nearly impossible. Heavily populated areas like Rafah and Gaza City have been declared “no-go zones,” leading to mass displacement.

Though Israel had briefly withdrawn from the corridor during a ceasefire agreement earlier this year, it resumed its hold after restarting military operations.

70% of Gaza’s Infrastructure Destroyed

Gaza’s media office accused Israel of attempting to ethnically cleanse the Palestinian population. It stated that the Israeli army is destroying Gaza by forcibly displacing civilians, bombing infrastructure, and cutting off humanitarian aid.

The office claimed that over 70% of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed and that 1.9 million people (85% of Gaza’s population) have been displaced from their homes.

Israeli officials have rejected these accusations, maintaining that their actions are targeted operations against Hamas. They argue that Hamas deliberately positions military infrastructure in civilian areas, which increases civilian casualties.

Netanyahu Vows Continued Offensive Until Hamas is Eliminated

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that military operations in Gaza will continue until Hamas is completely eliminated. He stated that after the war, Gaza would be under full control of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), including oversight of aid distribution.

The United Nations and human rights organizations have expressed serious concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on May 12 that 96% of children in Gaza are malnourished, and the region faces the threat of famine.

Over 500 Killed in One Week

The military offensive in Gaza has intensified significantly, worsening the humanitarian crisis. On May 24 and 25 alone, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 182 Palestinians, including women and children.

In the past week, over 500 people have died due to Israeli military operations. Since the ceasefire was broken on January 19, 2025, more than 2,000 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza.

Over 55,000 Palestinians Killed Since War Began

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023, over 55,000 Palestinians have been killed, including thousands of children, women, and the elderly.