In a horrifying escalation of violence, Israeli airstrikes on two school buildings in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense. The strikes, which took place over the weekend, continue an already bloody few days, following a similar deadly attack on Saturday.

Rescuers in Gaza are working tirelessly to dig victims from the rubble, with hopes of finding survivors among the destroyed buildings that had been serving as shelters for displaced families. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defense, informed CNN that the majority of the bodies recovered so far are women and children.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency have taken responsibility for the airstrikes, stating that they were targeting "terrorists operating inside Hamas command and control centers" allegedly located within the schools. However, the IDF has not responded to inquiries regarding the number of Hamas members versus civilians killed in the strikes or whether civilians were warned in advance.

Videos obtained from the area by CNN depict scenes of extensive destruction and lifeless bodies in the schoolyard following the Israeli strike. In the footage, medics and rescuers can be seen carrying injured children to waiting ambulances.

According to a local journalist, three floors of the northern wing of Al-Nasr School were completely destroyed, as well as the ground floor of the adjacent Hassan Salama School. These two school buildings were providing shelter to hundreds of displaced people, primarily women and children. It is worth noting that both schools were situated in densely populated residential areas.

Palestinian officials have revealed that no warning was given to civilians before the airstrikes occurred. Mahmoud Basal emphasized that "if a warning had been given, the number of deaths would have been lower."

Sunday's attack follows a series of strikes on the Al-Huda and Al-Hamama schools, also targeted for alleged Hamas infrastructure, according to the IDF. The assault on Saturday left at least 17 people dead. Basal described the initial bombing as unexpected, resulting in a significant number of casualties. It wasn't until after retrieval efforts were underway that the occupation forces issued a warning of an imminent second strike.

Since October 7, the death toll from Israeli military action in Gaza has now reached 39,583, with an additional 91,398 people injured, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israel initiated these actions in response to Hamas attacks, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people.

The international community continues to express grave concern over the escalating violence, urging for an immediate halt to the airstrikes and a return to negotiations. The devastating loss of innocent lives, particularly among women and children, has sparked further outcry against the ongoing conflict.