Israeli gunfire kills Palestinian girl inside Gaza classroom
An Israeli shooting killed a Palestinian schoolgirl inside a classroom in Gaza Strip, authorities said, marking another alleged ceasefire violation by Israel. The incident underscores ongoing violence despite a truce that has seen hundreds killed since late 2025.
- Middle East
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 03:43 | 09 April 2026
Israeli gunfire killed a Palestinian third-grade student inside her classroom in northern Gaza on Thursday, in a new violation of the ceasefire agreement, the Education Ministry said.
The ministry identified the girl as Ritaaj Rihan, saying she was sitting at her desk at Abu Ubaida bin al-Jarrah School when she was shot in front of her classmates.
The ministry said the incident caused severe psychological trauma among the students, describing the killing as a "brutal and horrific crime."
"It was not an isolated incident, but a direct extension of a systematic policy targeting the Palestinian people," the ministry said.
The ministry said Israel bears full responsibility for the killing and warned that continued international silence amounts to "complicity."
According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 738 Palestinians have been killed and 2,036 others injured in near-daily Israeli attacks in violation of the ceasefire in place since October 2025.
The ceasefire followed more than two years of a genocidal war that has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, wounded more than 172,000 and devastated about 90% of the enclave's infrastructure.