In another wave of violence in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli military launched a targeted strike on two school compounds in northern Gaza, claiming they were being used as military bases by Hamas militants. The incident has sparked international condemnation, exacerbated by the family of a Turkish American woman who was killed during a West Bank protest, blaming Israel for her death.

According to reports from Gazan rescue services, the strike on the Halimah al-Saadiyah school in Jabaliya resulted in the deaths of four individuals who had sought shelter in tents around the facility. Additionally, a second strike on the Amr Ibn al-As school in Gaza City claimed the lives of three people and left 20 others injured.

The Israeli military justified the attacks, stating that they had conducted "precise strikes" targeting Hamas militants using the former school compounds as a base. However, the military did not confirm the number of casualties in its statements. They emphasized that precautions had been taken to minimize harm to civilians and placed blame on Hamas fighters for blending in with the civilian population.

The situation in Gaza remains dire as schools, closed due to the Israeli invasion, have been repurposed as makeshift shelters housing thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge from Israeli bombardment. Despite the inherent risks, Gazans continue to seek safety in these buildings, which provide much-needed amenities such as toilets and running water, scarce elsewhere in the enclave.

The reported deaths from the recent strikes further add to the already devastating toll of over 40,000 Palestinians killed in the 11-month long war, according to Gazan health authorities. However, these figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, leaving the true extent of civilian casualties unclear.

United Nations officials and humanitarian aid groups have expressed concerns over the safety of Gaza's nearly two million civilians, who are facing mounting displacement due to the conflict. Israeli actions, including repeated civilian evacuations and the reduction of the designated "humanitarian zone", have limited safe areas for Palestinians, leaving them with no option but to overcrowd into increasingly confined spaces near hospitals and schools.

The killing of 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish American woman, has also come under scrutiny. Her family issued a statement, accusing Israeli soldiers of unlawfully taking her life during a peaceful protest in the West Bank. They demand an independent investigation into her death. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has expressed condolences and stressed the need to gather all the facts surrounding the incident.

Amidst the ongoing violence, both Israel and Hamas have largely observed a cease-fire in areas where health care workers are administering a polio vaccine campaign for children. The vaccination drive, which has reached approximately 350,000 children in Gaza, aims to inoculate around half of the targeted number of children.

Critics argue that while the vaccination campaign is crucial, it overlooks the grave conditions faced by Gaza's children on a daily basis. The enclave, under constant bombardment since the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October, has seen an increase in malnutrition-related deaths. Reports of a baby, Yaqeen al-Astal, succumbing to malnutrition in the southern city of Khan Younis highlight the dire situation. The child's death marks the 37th reported case of hunger-related mortality since Israel imposed stricter restrictions on the enclave. The current blockade has severely limited even the entry of humanitarian aid.

UNICEF's development director, Victor Aguayo, has issued a dire warning, estimating that over 50,000 children in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition. The risk of a large-scale nutrition crisis and potential famine is seen as a real and imminent threat.

The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as violence persists and casualties mount. Diplomatic efforts, including calls for cease-fire and independent investigations, are urgently needed to bring an end to the bloodshed and address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Palestinian territory.