Revulsion at the atrocities committed by Israeli occupation forces in the Mustafa Hafez School will not dominate today’s front pages. Such news from the heart of Gaza is not worthy of making the headlines as per the Western double standards. However, US politicians are more than ready to line up around the world to maintain "Israel's" security despite the unbearable civilian death toll in Gaza.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent has reported a devastating attack by Israeli occupation forces on Mustafa Hafez School, a facility in western Gaza City that was serving as a shelter for forcibly displaced individuals. 

According to Palestinian sources, more than 20 individuals are feared trapped under the rubble.

The Israeli occupation continues to commit massacres under the eyes of the entire world, with no respect for international law.

The initial toll of the massacre is 10 martyrs as the IOF bombed the Mustafa Hafez School in #Gaza City, which houses forcibly displaced #Palestinians.… pic.twitter.com/Eh2P19izD7

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 20, 2024

The Gaza Civil Defense has confirmed that at least 12 people were killed in the Israeli attack.

Mustafa Hafez School, which was housing over 700 forcibly displaced persons, is reported to have been directly targeted by Israeli airstrikes.

Israeli assaults have recently escalated, with recent reports indicating that nine schools in Gaza City housing hundreds of forcibly displaced individuals in the Gaza Strip have been struck by relentless airstrikes in just 8 days as of August 9.

In a separate massacre, 13 people have been reported dead at Nasser Medical Complex due to ongoing airstrikes in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.

The bodies of four individuals were recovered from tents housing displaced people in the Asda area, northwest of Khan Younis.

'Israel' kills another journalist at Mustafa Hafez School massacre

The number of journalists who have fallen as martyrs has now reached 170 since the onset of the genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. This latest figure comes following the martyrdom of Palestinian journalist Hamza Abdul Rahman Murtaja, a photographer and journalist affiliated with various media outlets.

The Government Media Office vehemently condemned the Israeli occupation's deliberate targeting and killing of Palestinian journalists.

استشهاد الصحفي حمزة عبد الرحمن مرتجى ٣٢ عاما في قصف مدرسة مصطفى حافظ بغزة، ويعمل في شركة ريكورد ميديا، وهو شقيق الشهيد الصحفي ياسر مرتجى. pic.twitter.com/J76S0tjamO

— ahmad.ibraa (@ahmadibraa47) August 20, 2024

In a statement, the Office held "Israel" fully accountable for these grave crimes, urging the international community, relevant organizations, and global journalism bodies to take decisive action against the occupation, pursue accountability in international courts, and exert pressure to end the ongoing genocide and the systematic murder of Palestinian journalists.

'Israel' plays 'Hamas Command Center' card again

The Israeli military has rushed to defend its actions by claiming that the targeted facility was a "Hamas command and control center." According to an official statement, the facility was allegedly used by Hamas operatives to plan and execute attacks against the Israeli military.

The Israeli military’s justification comes amid growing international scrutiny and condemnation of relentless Israeli strikes, which have resulted in an unbearable civilian death toll and massive destruction of infrastructure.

The claim of targeting a command center is part of a broader narrative used by "Israel" to justify its ongoing carnage in Gaza.

Reactions to the massacre 

The Palestinian Resistance Committees have condemned the attack, stressing that it has occurred with the tacit approval of the US administration.

They accused Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President Joe Biden of endorsing these actions through their support for Israeli aggression. The Committees have called for continued resistance against what they describe as a "genocidal assault on Gaza's civilian population."

On its part, the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement has also condemned the US administration, asserting that such massacres are facilitated by international complicity and US political and military backing.

What about aid? BLOCKED

In a related development, the Director General of the Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported severe disruptions in humanitarian aid due to the blockade imposed by Israeli occupation forces.

A UN convoy carrying essential medicines and fuel has been obstructed, further exacerbating the crisis. Ambulances are now facing severe shortages of fuel, impeding rescue operations, as per the Ministry.

It has warned that Gaza’s fuel reserves are critically low, sufficient for only 24 more hours, which threatens to cripple emergency services and hinder efforts to save lives.

It is worth noting that the escalating violence and blockade continue to compound the dire situation in Gaza, with urgent calls for international intervention and support to address the unbearable death toll.

Read more: War on Gaza among bloodiest in 21st century: Haaretz