Israeli drone strike kills girl on first day of school in Gaza City

September 7, 2026 at 07:21 AM2 min

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An Israeli drone strike on a civilian vehicle in Gaza City killed a schoolgirl and her father on the first day of school. The attack on Shifa Street turned the girl's return to education into tragedy, with her school supplies scattered around her body. The strike came as Gaza's education system struggles amid widespread destruction and ongoing bombardment.

Key Facts

The Israeli drone strike on Shifa Street in Gaza City killed Wafa Aqila and her father, Yusuf Aqila, 36.
The Palestinian Education Ministry announced the new school year would begin on September 16, but many schools and alternative education points in Gaza had already started classes.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, more than 30% of those killed in Israel's ongoing attacks are children, with the child death toll reaching 21,283.
Approximately 19,000 of the dead were school-age students, and more than 44,000 children have been injured.

The Strike

An Israeli drone struck a civilian vehicle on Shifa Street in central Gaza City, killing Wafa Aqila and her father, Yusuf Aqila, 36. The attack turned Wafa's joy at returning to school into tragedy, with her school books, notebooks, and stationery scattered around her lifeless body in videos shared on social media. Wafa was one of thousands of children trying to hold on to education and life amid the war in Gaza, leaving behind a smiling photograph in her school uniform.

Education Under Fire

The Palestinian Education Ministry announced the new school year would begin on September 16, but many schools and alternative education points across Gaza had already started classes. Due to the heavy destruction caused by Israel and the relentless bombardment, most school buildings in the region are unusable, forcing children to continue their lessons in temporary learning centers, mostly tents. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, more than 30% of those killed in Israel's ongoing attacks are children, with the child death toll reaching 21,283. Approximately 19,000 of the dead were school-age students, and more than 44,000 children have been injured.