Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill over a dozen amid polio vaccination efforts

Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of over a dozen individuals overnight into Saturday morning, as health workers were concluding a critical polio vaccination campaign. This campaign was initiated following the confirmation of the first polio case in 25 years, affecting a 10-month-old boy. The vaccination efforts were particularly urgent due to the potential for a large-scale outbreak in the region. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the second phase of vaccinations was nearing completion in the southern part of the territory, with plans to move northward. The airstrikes included a hit on a residential building, which killed four and injured at least ten, alongside other strikes that resulted in additional casualties. The ongoing violence has escalated since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October, with more than 690 Palestinians reported dead due to increasing Israeli raids and retaliatory actions. The situation has drawn international concern, with calls for a cease-fire from the United States and other allies, although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains firm on maintaining control over strategic areas along Gaza's border. The conflict has also seen tragic incidents in the West Bank, where a 13-year-old girl and an American protester were killed in separate incidents. The Israeli military is investigating these occurrences, which have further heightened tensions in the region. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as the violence persists, complicating efforts to address public health needs amid the ongoing conflict.