Israeli airstrikes kill 14 people in Gaza

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people, marking another tragic episode in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. These strikes, which occurred overnight into Saturday, targeted areas in central and southern Gaza, including Gaza City and Khan Younis. According to Palestinian civil defense officials, one of the airstrikes hit a residence in Gaza City that was home to 11 people, including women and children. Another strike targeted a tent in Khan Younis that was sheltering Palestinians displaced by the ongoing conflict.

This recent escalation follows a series of airstrikes earlier in the week, which included attacks on a tent camp and a United Nations school serving as a shelter for displaced families. These strikes have intensified the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the conflict has caused widespread destruction and displaced approximately 90% of the 2.3 million residents, often multiple times.

The Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7 of the previous year, has been marked by significant violence and loss of life. The conflict was sparked when Hamas-led militants launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting approximately 250 individuals. While most of the hostages have been released in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, about 100 remain captive, with estimates suggesting that a third of them may be deceased.

Gaza's Health Ministry reports that over 41,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, with women and children comprising just over half of the fatalities. However, the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its count. On the other hand, Israel claims to have killed more than 17,000 militants during the conflict. The ongoing violence has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbating the challenges faced by its population.

In a related development, the funeral of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old Turkish-American activist, took place in Turkey. Eygi, who held dual citizenship in the United States and Turkey, was killed by an Israeli soldier during a demonstration against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli military stated that she was likely shot "indirectly and unintentionally." Her death has drawn international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning the incident and Turkey announcing its own investigation.

The conflict has also seen efforts to address humanitarian needs, such as a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza. The World Health Organization, in collaboration with local health authorities, has been working to inoculate children against polio. The campaign's first phase has concluded, with approximately 560,000 children receiving their initial dose. Despite the ongoing violence, limited humanitarian pauses have been observed to facilitate such efforts.

As the conflict continues, international calls for a ceasefire persist, with the United States, Egypt, and Qatar pushing for negotiations. However, talks have repeatedly stalled, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of making new and unacceptable demands. The situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to bring peace to the region.