Seven killed in Gaza as Israeli airstrikes hit Islamic University and other sites
An Israeli airstrike on the Islamic University in Gaza City killed three security guards and injured several staff members on Tuesday. A second strike later the same day hit a nearby residential block, adding four civilian deaths to the tally. The attacks raise fresh concerns about the targeting of civilian infrastructure in an already densely populated enclave. International observers say the incidents could further strain humanitarian access to the region.
What Happened
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the first strike struck the university's engineering faculty building at approximately 09:45 GMT on October 24, 2024. The blast killed three security guards who were stationed at the main entrance and wounded two faculty members who were in a nearby classroom. The Ministry’s spokesperson, Dr. Mona Al‑Madhoun, confirmed that the building sustained extensive structural damage, noting that a shattered window frame fell onto the courtyard. A second airstrike hit a residential block on the university’s southern perimeter at 12:30 GMT, killing four civilians, including two children, and destroying a small market that served students and nearby residents. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released a brief statement saying the strikes targeted “terror infrastructure” linked to Hamas, but offered no specific coordinates. Al Jazeera’s on‑the‑ground reporter, Ahmad Al‑Shami, captured footage of the university’s main gate still smoldering, with debris scattered across the pavement. The combined death toll from the two attacks now stands at seven, according to the Ministry’s latest figures.
Why It Matters
The strikes underscore a broader pattern of targeting educational institutions in the Gaza conflict, a practice that international humanitarian law expressly prohibits when schools and universities are not used for military purposes. UNESCO has warned that attacks on education erode the social fabric of a community and hinder post‑conflict recovery. For families in Gaza, the university is not only a place of learning but also a hub for medical clinics, libraries, and food distribution points. When such facilities are damaged, ordinary citizens lose access to essential services, compounding the already severe shortages of water, electricity, and medicine.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the attacks risk galvanizing further radicalization among young people who see their future prospects vanish. A recent report by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that 62 % of university‑aged youths feel “increasingly hopeless” about their prospects after repeated infrastructure attacks. This sentiment can fuel recruitment for militant groups that promise retaliation and protection.
The incidents also have diplomatic repercussions. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called the strikes “potential violations of the principle of distinction”. European Union foreign ministers are slated to meet in Brussels later this week to discuss possible sanctions against entities that facilitate the use of precision‑guided munitions in civilian areas. Each new civilian casualty adds pressure on governments that have already been debating the legality of continued air campaigns in Gaza.
“Hussein Al‑Jabari, a senior Hamas spokesperson, told Al‑Arabiya that the university was "a civilian sanctuary, not a military base," and warned that further attacks would "only deepen the resolve of the Palestinian people to resist".”
What We Don't Know Yet
Several critical details remain unverified. First, the precise coordinates of the strikes have not been released by the IDF, leaving analysts unable to confirm whether the university was being used for any military purpose at the time. Second, the exact type of munitions employed is unclear; while the IDF claims to use precision weapons, independent observers have not yet examined the crater to verify the payload. Third, casualty numbers may rise as hospitals in Gaza struggle with limited capacity and delayed reporting. The Gaza Health Ministry’s latest figures could be revised once missing patients are accounted for. Finally, it is unknown how the strikes will affect ongoing ceasefire negotiations that have been mediated by Qatar and Egypt. The lack of transparent data hampers accountability and fuels competing narratives on both sides of the conflict.
Key Takeaways
- Two Israeli airstrikes on Oct 24 killed seven people, including three university security guards.
- The Islamic University’s engineering faculty building suffered severe structural damage.
- UNESCO warns that attacks on education undermine community resilience and post‑conflict recovery.
- Casualty figures may rise as hospitals in Gaza face reporting delays and capacity limits.
- International bodies are preparing investigations that could affect future military operations.
What to Watch
In the next 24‑72 hours, three developments are likely to shape the narrative. First, the Israeli military is expected to issue a formal justification for the university strikes, possibly citing intelligence about weapons storage. Watch for any statements from the IDF’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, which could influence international response. Second, the United Nations Human Rights Council is slated to convene an emergency session on October 26 to consider a fact‑finding mission; the outcome may lead to a resolution condemning the attacks. Third, humanitarian NGOs such as Médecins Sans Frontières are preparing to send additional medical teams to Gaza City; their ability to access the damaged university campus will be a barometer for the broader aid corridor’s functionality. Monitoring social media for eyewitness videos and statements from local council members will also provide early clues about the ground reality and potential escalation.
The Islamic University of Gaza, founded in 1978, enrolls over 30,000 students and operates a teaching hospital that serves more than half of Gaza’s population (source: university’s official website).
The loss of seven lives in a single day highlights the human cost of a conflict that has already stretched Gaza’s fragile infrastructure to its limits. Families mourn loved ones while trying to rebuild shattered homes and classrooms. As the international community watches, the hope remains that diplomatic channels can prevent further civilian casualties and preserve the few remaining safe spaces for education and health care. For the people of Gaza, each day brings a new challenge, but also a resilient determination to survive and protect their future.
