Three people killed in an Israeli attack on Gaza University

Three university employees were killed and eight students injured in an Israeli drone strike on Islamic University in northern Gaza on Sunday, according to local Palestinian sources. Civil defense officials reported four additional deaths in separate attacks elsewhere in the enclave, bringing the total number of fatalities for the day to seven. The Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City confirmed receiving three bodies and treating eight wounded individuals following the attack. Several sources within the institution told AFP that the drone strike targeted the university campus, killing three security personnel while wounding students who were present for classes. The Palestinian Ministry of Education stated that some of the injured students are in critical condition. The ministry condemned what it described as global silence regarding attacks directed at students and universities. In a statement, the ministry noted that ten students and faculty members have been killed in the past six days. It further reported that 95 percent of buildings belonging to university institutions have been damaged during the three-year war between Israel and Hamas. The ministry characterized the higher education sector in Gaza as being on the verge of complete destruction. Civil defense services in Gaza, which operate under the control of the Islamist movement Hamas, detailed the locations of the other four deaths. Two people were killed in an aerial strike in Khan Younis in the south. One person died in Deir al-Balah in the central strip, and a fourth was killed in Israeli fire in the northern part of the territory, a spokesperson for the service told AFP. The Israeli military responded to inquiries by stating that it was verifying the information. The army did not immediately confirm the specific targets or casualties resulting from the strikes. This incident occurs against the backdrop of mutual accusations between Israel and Hamas over violations of a ceasefire agreement. The truce took effect on October 10, 2025, after two years of conflict initiated by the largest-ever attack by the Palestinian movement on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023. Despite the formal end of hostilities, violence has continued. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began. The United Nations considers data from this ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, to be reliable. Sources varied slightly in their descriptions of the victims at the university site. While initial reports referred to them generally as university staff, later clarifications specified that the three deceased were security guards or administrative employees associated with the institution. Witnesses indicated that the students injured in the blast were on campus specifically to attend lectures. The Al-Shifa Hospital’s confirmation of the casualty count aligned with figures provided by both the university sources and the education ministry. The pattern of recent violence highlights ongoing tensions despite the diplomatic efforts to maintain the peace process. The education ministry emphasized that the attacks continue even as the academic infrastructure faces near-total collapse. Officials pointed to the high percentage of damaged university buildings as evidence of the cumulative impact of the conflict on civilian life and educational opportunities in the region. The Israeli military’s stance of verification contrasts with the immediate confirmation of casualties by local hospitals and government ministries in Gaza. No further details were provided regarding the specific type of drone used or the exact coordinates of the strike within the university grounds. The focus of official statements remained on the human toll and the broader implications for the fragile ceasefire. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation as they manage the aftermath of the strikes. The incident adds to a series of reported violations that have strained relations between the parties involved in the conflict resolution process. Reports from multiple agencies consistently identified the location of the primary strike as the Islamic University in the northern section of the territory. The presence of students on campus during class hours was cited by multiple sources to underscore the vulnerability of civilians in these areas. The response from international observers has been limited, prompting criticism from Palestinian officials who feel the world is indifferent to the targeting of educational facilities. The military’s review of the incident suggests that an official explanation may follow, though no timeline was given for such a release. The death toll for the day stands at seven based on the combined reports from the hospital and civil defense. The breakdown includes three at the university and four in other parts of the strip. These figures reflect the continued lethality of the operations conducted in the area. The health ministry’s statistics provide a long-term view of the human cost since the start of the current phase of the conflict. The damage to university infrastructure represents a significant blow to the future prospects of young people in Gaza, according to local educators. As night fell on Gaza, emergency services worked to clear debris and transport the injured to medical facilities. The Al-Shifa Hospital, one of the few major medical centers still operating in the city, handled the influx of patients. Staff there coordinated with other healthcare providers to ensure that all wounded received necessary treatment. The situation remains tense, with residents reporting heightened anxiety due to the unpredictability of further strikes. The cycle of accusation and denial continues between the Israeli defense forces and Hamas leadership, complicating efforts to restore stability to the region.