Spain condemns Israel's latest deadly attack on Gaza school

By Alyssa McMurtry

OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Spain condemned Israel’s latest deadly bombing of a school in Gaza on Saturday, which left at least 100 people dead.

Israeli military aircraft targeted the Al-Taba'een school in the Al-Daraj neighborhood in eastern Gaza City while worshippers were performing the fajr (dawn) prayer, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported.

“We demand, once again, full compliance with the provisional measures imposed by the International Court of Justice and the protection of the civilian population,” Spain’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

With the bombing of Al-Taba'een School, the total number of schools targeted by the Israeli army in Gaza City over the past week has increased to six, according to an Anadolu tally.

The Israeli army claimed that the school contained an “operating military headquarters” for the Palestinian group Hamas.

“We reiterate… that an immediate ceasefire agreement is imperative to end this humanitarian catastrophe and obtain the release of the hostages,” added Spain’s foreign ministry.

On Friday, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said it supported the cease-fire being mediated by Egypt, the US and Qatar in line with the UN Security Council Resolution.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also said he spoke to his Saudi counterpart about the risk of escalation in the wider region.

In late May, Spain recognized Palestinian statehood, aiming to progress on a cease-fire and two-state solution. It was joined by Ireland, Norway, and later Slovenia in recognizing Palestine and has been pushing for an international peace conference.

In total, the Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip has killed nearly 39,700 people and plunged the region into a humanitarian catastrophe — with the population coping with shortages of food, clean water and medicine.