16 Palestinian Orphans and Widows Killed in Gaza School Bombing
Gaza City, September 21 — Israeli airstrikes on Saturday targeted a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza City, killing at least 16 Palestinian women and children, local officials reported. The victims, described as orphans and widows, had lost their primary caregivers in previous Israeli attacks during the nearly year-long bombing campaign in Gaza, according to the Gaza-based government media office.
The tragic incident occurred at Zeitoun C school, located in southern Gaza City, where the victims had gathered to receive aid as part of a charity orphan sponsorship program. Witnesses described the scene as horrifying, with one witness, Said al-Malahi, stating that the women and children were sitting in the playground when two rockets struck without warning. “The kids were playing, and suddenly two rockets hit them,” he told Reuters. Another witness, Ahmed Azzam, confirmed that only women and children were among the casualties.
The Gaza health ministry confirmed that 22 people were killed in the attack, with 30 others wounded. Among the dead was a three-month-old infant. The health ministry reported that nine children had lost one or more limbs, while others suffered severe burns. Two people remain missing.
The Israeli military acknowledged the airstrike, calling it a "precise strike" targeting what it claimed was a Hamas command and control center. This explanation echoed previous justifications given for airstrikes on schools and other civilian structures, though no evidence was provided to support the claim. Hamas has consistently denied using civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
The Gaza government’s media office condemned the attack, labeling it a “horrific massacre” and part of what they described as Israel’s genocidal war against Gaza’s civilian population. Since the war began nearly a year ago, at least 181 schools-turned-shelters have reportedly been bombed by Israeli forces.
On the same day, Israeli airstrikes hit a storage facility used by Gaza's health ministry, killing three health workers and injuring six others.
According to Palestinian health officials, Israeli forces have killed 41,391 Palestinians since October 7, including over 16,700 children and 11,000 women. Among the dead are at least 1,000 health workers, 220 UN aid personnel, and 170 journalists, making it the deadliest conflict for both UN staff and journalists since records began.
The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with no end to genocide in sight.