The Bahr Al-Baqar Massacre: Israel’s Attack on Egyptian Schoolchildren

A Day of Horror in 1970

On April 8, 1970, the peaceful morning at Bahr Al-Baqar Primary School in Egypt’s Sharqia Governorate turned into a nightmare when Israeli Phantom jets appeared overhead. The modest two-room schoolhouse, located just 110 kilometers from Zagazig, was instantly transformed from a sanctuary of learning into a scene of unspeakable violence.

The Attack and Its Aftermath

Without warning, Israeli aircraft dropped five bombs and launched two missiles on the school, reducing the building to rubble. The attack claimed the lives of 30 children and left more than 50 others wounded or permanently disfigured. This brutal assault occurred during the height of the War of Attrition, as Egypt sought to reclaim the Sinai Peninsula following its 1967 defeat.

Israel’s Controversial Claims

Israeli authorities claimed their jets targeted only military installations, but this explanation was met with skepticism. The attack followed another controversial bombing of the Abu Zaabal factory just two months prior, where 89 civilian workers had been killed. At Bahr Al-Baqar, investigators found no military presence – only schoolchildren with their notebooks and pencils.

Lasting Impact on Egyptian Society

The massacre became a defining moment in Egyptian history, galvanizing national unity against what many saw as Israeli aggression. The tragedy was immortalized in Egyptian culture through songs and poetry, most notably in Abdel Halim Hafez’s emotional tribute with lyrics by Salah Jahin.

A Memorial of National Significance

The ruins of Bahr Al-Baqar school have been preserved as a national shrine, serving as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict. For Egyptians, the site symbolizes how war spares no one – not even children in their classrooms.

Unanswered Calls for Justice

More than five decades later, the Bahr Al-Baqar massacre remains unresolved. Despite international condemnation, no independent investigation was ever conducted, and no accountability measures were taken. The anniversary continues to serve as a somber reminder of this dark chapter in Egyptian-Israeli relations.

Source: Daily News Egypt