SAEDNEWS: An initial investigation by the Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has found no evidence of a military presence at the site of the al-Tabin School massacre in Gaza that killed more than 120 people.
According to SAEDNEWS, The heart-wrenching aftermath of a recent airstrike on a school in Gaza has intensified the debate about the ongoing conflict and the plight of innocent civilians. In a statement released on Sunday, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor underscored the tragic reality faced by many, declaring, “According to all available information and testimonies, there were no military gatherings or command centers at the school, and it was never used for military objectives. Survivors testified that the school was providing shelter to hundreds of children whose families felt safe there.”
The organization further highlighted the inherent contradiction in Israeli claims, noting, “The narrow layout of the school and the lack of launch pads and shelters would make it impossible for the site to be used for military operations. The building’s cramped layout and tight spaces make it unsuitable for military operations that call for planning and logistical assistance.”
In defiance of these claims, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group firmly denied allegations of armed presence inside the school. “We categorically deny the enemy's allegations that there were armed men inside the school,” they asserted in a statement. They went on to say, “These lies promoted by the enemy aim to sow confusion and escape accountability as it continues its war of extermination against our people intending to kill as many as possible.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Hamas resistance movement condemned the Israeli narrative, calling it “an attempt to justify its heinous crime.” Ezzat al-Resheq, a member of Hamas's political bureau, described the massacre at al-Tabin School as part of an ongoing Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people, labeling it a dangerous escalation in the conflict.
An Israeli military spokesperson, however, maintained that the school “served as an active Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility.” This assertion was met with fervent rejection from al-Resheq, who emphasized that Palestinian resistance groups adhere to a policy of keeping their activities away from civilian areas in order to protect innocent lives.
Unfortunately, such unfounded allegations have often served as justifications for attacking civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including schools and hospitals. Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s deputy chief in Gaza, pointed out that the Israeli assault on the school illustrates a broader agenda to erase the Palestinian presence in Gaza.
Eyewitness accounts from the Gaza media office revealed that the fatal airstrikes struck during dawn prayers, resulting in an appalling number of casualties among those sheltering in the school.
The international community has reacted with outrage, as Iran and several other nations condemned the “barbaric” Israeli airstrike on a facility meant to protect displaced Palestinians. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Nasser Kana'ani, stated, “The mass killing of Palestinians has revealed the terrorist nature of the Zionist regime, the true face of its inhumane supporters, and the falsehood of the US human rights slogans.” He stressed that the regime's escalating brutality underscores its fear of collapse.
As the Israeli war on Gaza continues, nearly 40,000 lives have been lost, predominantly among women and children, highlighting the urgent need for global attention and intervention to protect those who are suffering the most in this ongoing humanitarian crisis. It is crucial that the world stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza in their fight for justice and survival.
