GCC chief decries Israeli strike on UNRWA-run school in Gaza

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi condemned as "a barbaric crime" the bombardment by the Israeli occupation forces of Al-Jaouni boy's preparatory school in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, early Saturday. The school, run by the UNRWA, was turned into shelter for some 6,000 people internally displaced by the ongoing Israeli occupation's onslaught on the Strip. "The barbaric attack proves once again the persistence of the Israeli occupation forces in directly targeting innocent displaced people in Gaza and the entire Palestine," Al-Budaiwi said in a press release. "This flagrant violation of the international conventions and humanitarian laws is tantamount to a war crime that evidences the serious criminal behavior of the Israeli occupation forces," he stressed. Al-Budawi urged the international community to step in immediately, force a cessation of the Israeli occupation's hostilities and bring the culprits to justice. He reaffirmed the GCC states' support to the fair cause of Palestine, vow ing to do his utmost to ensure protection for the Palestinian people. The Israeli bombardment on the school killed at least 35 people and injured dozens more, according to the UNRWA. Source: Kuwait News Agency