The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has issued a stark condemnation of the Israeli military, accusing it of deliberately targeting schools in Gaza that are being used as shelters for displaced civilians.

According to a press release from the organization, this targeting forms part of a systematic policy aimed at forcing the displacement of Gaza's population and emptying the city of its residents.

The monitor highlighted that the escalation in attacks on schools coincides with the issuance of illegal forced evacuation orders by the Israeli military, pushing civilians from the northern to the southern parts of Gaza. These actions, the statement said, appear to be driven by motives of revenge, aiming to destabilize the civilian population.

"In just eight days, Israeli aircraft have attacked nine schools in Gaza City that were sheltering thousands of displaced people," the monitor reported. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of 79 Palestinians and injuries to 143 others, with many victims being women and children. The destruction has also left several individuals buried under rubble, with rescue efforts hampered by the lack of necessary tools.

One of the most recent attacks occurred on August 8, when Israeli aircraft bombed Al-Zahraa and Abdul Fattah Hamouda schools in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, killing 17 civilians and injuring dozens more. Similar attacks in the preceding days targeted schools in other parts of Gaza, resulting in further casualties.

The monitor criticized the Israeli military's attempts to justify these bombings by claiming they were targeting military or political figures, noting that no evidence has been provided to support these claims. Instead, the destruction of schools and the killing of displaced civilians are seen as part of a broader strategy to eliminate safe havens and force further displacement.

Euro-Med's initial investigations suggest that the Israeli military's actions are part of a deliberate effort to deny Palestinians any remaining refuge, following the systematic destruction of homes and shelters over the past ten months. The targeting of UNRWA schools and other civilian facilities is particularly concerning, as it indicates a policy intended to deprive Palestinians of any sense of security or stability.

The press release also highlighted recent forced evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, affecting tens of thousands of residents in various parts of Gaza. These orders, accompanied by aerial and artillery bombardments, are seen as further evidence of Israel's intent to expel the population from their homes and resettlement areas.

The monitor called on the international community to take immediate action against Israel, urging the implementation of effective sanctions and the cessation of all military, political, and financial assistance to the country. The statement emphasized the need for the International Criminal Court to expand its investigation into crimes committed in Gaza, including genocide, and to issue arrest warrants for those responsible.

The Euro-Med Monitor concluded by warning that the ongoing military operations and forced displacement in Gaza are not only violations of international humanitarian law but also constitute crimes against humanity that require urgent international intervention. (ILKHA)