The Washington Centre for Human Rights (WCHR) unequivocally condemns the ongoing Israeli military strikes targeting schools in Gaza that serve as civilian shelters for displaced Palestinians. Recent reports confirm that these attacks are not accidental but part of a deliberate strategy, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of innocent civilians, including women and children.
Between March and May 2025 alone, at least 16 schools sheltering displaced families have been bombed, causing over 217 fatalities and countless injuries. On May 26, a single strike killed 52 people inside a school shelter. These appalling acts violate fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflict.
The targeting of schools—places meant to be safe havens for vulnerable populations—amounts to a gross violation of human rights and may constitute war crimes. The destruction of education facilities, alongside hospitals and homes, exacerbates the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 2 million people are trapped under a severe blockade that restricts access to food, medical supplies, and essential aid.
WCHR calls upon:
The United Nations Security Council and General Assembly to urgently adopt binding resolutions demanding an immediate cessation of attacks on civilian shelters and infrastructure in Gaza.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) to intensify investigations and hold accountable those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza.
All UN Member States impose strict arms embargoes on parties involved in violations of international law and to leverage diplomatic pressure on Israel to comply with humanitarian norms.
Humanitarian organizations and UN agencies to be granted unfettered access to deliver lifesaving aid and services to the affected civilian population.
The deliberate targeting of civilian shelters, including schools, by Israeli forces is a flagrant breach of international law and a humanitarian outrage. The Washington Centre for Human Rights demands immediate and decisive international action to protect the rights and lives of Palestinians in Gaza and to bring an end to this cycle of violence and impunity.