Gaza's Refugee Schools Under Fire

In the Gaza Strip, since the attacks began on October 7, 2023, schools and other educational facilities have been repurposed as shelters for displaced civilians seeking safety.

By October 27, 2023, more than 200 school buildings in Gaza had suffered damage, according to UNICEF. This accounts for approximately 40% of all school buildings in the area, with nearly 40 school buildings sustaining extensive damage.

Source UNESCO

However, in the first few days of November, four of these schools were subjected to direct attacks, resulting in casualties, most of whom were displaced people.

On November 2nd, journalist Ahmed Hijazi shared videos on his Instagram showing an attack on a school in the Shati refugee camp.

The videos clearly captured white smoke and falling bombs. 'Phosphorus... Phosphorus on an UNRWA school,' the journalist commented.

The smoke from the shelling made it challenging to determine the precise time of the attack through shadow analysis. However, based on the available data, it was estimated that the attack likely occurred between 7:54 a.m.—the time of the first news report—and 8:53 a.m., which is when a video documenting the attack was uploaded, as per Gaza local time.

The bombing of Shati Boys' School wasn't the only attack on the morning of November 2nd. A separate attack also hit Abu Hussein School in the Jabalia refugee camp that same morning.

Testimony from a survivor of the school bombing, as reported in an interview by Wafa Agency.

"I heard the sound of an explosion, and everyone was on the ground, my grandchildren included.

The further I walked, the more people I saw. I grabbed my children and my sister's kids, and we ran."

The first report of the incident on X platform (formerly known as Twitter) was at 9:54 a.m. in Gaza local time.

A video released by the Palestinian Ministry of Interior on Telegram, showing the initial moments after the attack, enabled the determination of the likely timing through shadow analysis.

The estimated time for the attack is between 9:10 and 9:54 a.m. on November 2nd, according to local time in Gaza. The attack resulted in at least 20 deaths and injured five others, as reported by UNRWA, while also causing damage to the school.

An examination of the available evidence, including visual documentation and eyewitness accounts, indicates that the ammunition fell in the yard opposite the school's inner gate. The resulting shrapnel spread widely, which was noted to be unusual, leading to multiple injuries and fatalities.

Evidence from eyewitness testimonies and available visual documentation suggests that the attack was carried out by a missile launched from an Israeli combat drone.

Amnesty International documented an unidentified weapon used by the Israeli army in Gaza, which they named 'cube-shaped shrapnel,' fired from combat drones.

This damage pattern somewhat aligns with the extent of injuries observed in several victims. These injuries were not typical amputations but rather presented with extensive wounds and heavy bleeding, suggesting that this type of missile might have been used.

The attacks did not cease. On the evening of the following day, November 3rd, another UNRWA school, which was crowded with displaced people, was bombed.

Video source: Euronews

By following the timeline of reports about the bombing of Usama bin Zaid School, the estimated time for the attack can be placed between 7:27 p.m. and 8:22 p.m. in Gaza local time.

By examining the photos and videos released after the incident, it was possible to assess the impact and recreate it virtually.

A noticeable gap appeared in one of the classroom walls, and the opposing wall showed clear signs of projectile damage.

Disclaimer: The video contains graphic content.

Video source: Euronews

Damage analysis suggests that the school was subjected to a direct hit from a 122mm projectile. The force of the impact against the school's wall caused bodies and shrapnel to be thrown in a 10-meter radius.

Nevertheless, the situation continued to unfold.

On the morning after the bombing of Usama bin Zaid School, reports began circulating on social media about another strike targeting a different UNRWA school.

Estimates indicate that this attack occurred between 9:40 and 10:00 a.m. on November 4, 2023, resulting in 15 deaths and 70 injuries, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

An analysis of the visual evidence and the trajectory of the incoming projectiles indicates that the attack might have involved Israeli artillery shells.

A number of the shells struck the rear of the school, where cooking and baking relief activities for displaced people were ongoing. Other shells hit the school building, causing extensive damage, including holes in the roof of a classroom that served as a shelter for displaced people. A further set of shells landed in the inner courtyard, with one hitting a displaced family's tent.

The subsequent attacks on Fakhoura School and Abu Hussein School occurred a few days later, in late November 2023, resulting in substantial loss of life and significant structural damage.

The investigation did not cover either of the two recent incidents. Instead, it focused on the four attacks that took place in the first days of November 2023. The findings indicated a condemnation of the direct attacks on four schools operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which served as safe shelters for displaced people.