By Minaz Kerawala, Communications and Public Relations Advisor
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada strongly condemns yesterday’s school bombing in which Israeli occupation forces killed at least four people and injured many at the Holy Family School in Al-Remal, Gaza.
Established in 1974 and rebuilt in 2001, the school is run by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Before the war, its 700 or so kindergarten, primary and secondary students enjoyed some of the best education in the region.
In a press release, the Patriarchate noted that the school has “been a place of refuge for hundreds of civilians” since the beginning of the war. It denounced “the targeting of civilians or any belligerent actions that fall short of ensuring that civilians remain outside the combat scene.”
In an internal communiqué, our partner Caritas Jerusalem lamented, “There is no safe haven for these poor displaced families amid the indiscriminate bombing, shooting, and shelling, which continue without regard for places of worship, hospitals, or schools.”
School bombing: not the first or only atrocity
This latest bombing came close on the heels of a similar attack that killed 16 people at a United Nations-run school. A month ago, Israel had used American munitions to bomb another school in Gaza. Schools had also been targeted in November 2023.
The Global Education Cluster reports that 503 schools have damaged or destroyed since October 7, 2023. Of these, 307 schools were targeted with direct hits.
Save the Children has reported that up to 21,000 children may be missing in the chaos of war.
Over the last nine months, Israel has also destroyed every university in Gaza; killed at least 261 teachers and 95 university professors, 108 journalists, 254 aid workers and 493 health workers.
Over 1,300 attacks on health care facilities have left Gazans without access to even the most basic medical services. One consequence of this is that pregnant women are self-inducing labour to avoid having to give birth while on the move.
Other Israeli atrocities include the weaponization of water supply, the use of human shields and a blockade that is letting in a daily average of only 80 aid trucks of the 500 that are needed.
As a result, it is reported that 1.9 million people, representing over 90 per cent of the population, are displaced and over 60 per cent of residential buildings and 80 per cent of commercial facilities have been damaged. A million children are in need of psychosocial support and 96 per cent of women and young children are unable to meet basic nutrient needs.
According to the official report, at least 87,903 Palestinians have been injured and 38,193 have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. However, writing to The Lancet, one of the world’s premier medical journals, a group of experts has used epidemiological statistical methods to estimate that the actual death toll may be as high as 186,000 or nearly 8 per cent of the population.
Not just Gaza
Beyond Gaza, Israeli attacks have killed 539 Palestinians, including 131 children, in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the current conflict began.
Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, too, suffer systematically inhumane treatment. Last week, Israel’s national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir openly boasted that worsening the conditions of Palestinian prisoners was one of his highest goals (see tweet in Hebrew).
Israel has also initiated 83 per cent of the over 7,400 attacks in Lebanon that have been exchanged with Hezbollah and other armed groups. Widely feared to be preparing for an all-out war, Israel has warned that its army can take Lebanon “back to the stone age.”
The growing global condemnation…
As far back as January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had ordered Israel to take measures to protect Palestinians from the risk of genocide. The order, originally issued in the context of the South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, was reiterated in March 2024. In May, the ICJ ordered a halt to the offensive on Rafah, which Israel ignored with its usual impunity.
Separately, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has sought arrest warrants against Israeli Pime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and three top Hamas leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
By being included in the UN Secretary General’s report on Children and Armed Conflict, Israel has also joined the “list of shame” of countries that abuse children during war.
…that Canada must join
In light of these developments, Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada repeats its call for Canada to act more decisively for peace. Since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, which we condemn without reserve, our advocacy position has been consistent and clear. Inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, the courage of Gaza’s beleaguered Christian community and the testimonies of our partners, we are calling for the Government of Canada to:
- Use all possible political, diplomatic and economic means to compel:
- An immediate, comprehensive and permanent ceasefire
- The release of all hostages and prisoners, including those held by Hamas and Palestinians illegitimately incarcerated by Israel
- The establishment of secure humanitarian corridors
- End all transfers of arms, weapon components and military technology to Israel and provide public evidence on the state of arms export permits issued for Israel since October 7, 2023
- Unequivocally support the ICJ and ICC proceedings currently underway
- Work toward an internationally mediated process to secure a just and lasting peace for the people of Palestine and Israel
- Not be afraid to escalate diplomatic action if prevailing lines of action continue failing to alter Israel’s behaviour
How you can help
To all people of faith, we reiterate the call to prayer, advocacy and generosity that Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem had made in the leadup to Christmas last year. Our partner Caritas Jerusalem is fighting impossible odds to provide food, shelter and medical services to thousands of conflict-affected civilians in Gaza. But with dwindling resources and increasing risks, they need your help more than ever to continue their lifesaving work.
