Israel Matzav

No, the IDF did not attack a school in Rafah - UPDATED

Earlier today, it was reported that the IDF had attacked a UNRWA school in Rafah where 'hundreds' of 'Palestinians' were taking shelter. The reports indicated that ten people were killed and at least 35 were wounded.

But that's not quite what happened. From what I can piece together (the IDF has not yet commented), Hamas terrorists were firing on IDF forces from right outside the school. An IDF air strike targeted the gunmen's car as they fled.

UNRWA has now admitted that the IDF targeted people outside the school, and that those who were hit were 'around the gate.'

@UNRWA official: those killed and injured were apparently around the gate of UN school. not a direct hit inside the school compound
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) August 3, 2014

In other words, Hamas terrorists used people sheltering at an UNRWA school as human shields. They got themselves killed (I'm guessing those deaths are 3-5 of the 10 deaths being reported at the school) and they got some of the human shields killed too, racking up some propaganda points for civilian casualties for Hamas.

All in all, just another fine day at the office for Hamas.

UPDATE 2:42 PM

The IDF says it's 'under investigation.'

Labels: civilian casualties, Gaza, Hamas, human shields, IDF, Operation Protective Edge, Rafah, UNRWA

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 2:31 PM