The division runs deep through bloodlines, crossing oceans and leaving Israeli and Palestinian students in Maryland to grapple with conflict in their homeland as Israeli forces advance deeper in the Gaza Strip, killing hundreds of civilians in their path to weaken Hamas militants.

“Every time something like this happens, we expect a backlash toward Israel,” said Omri Arens, 21, past president of the Pro-Israel Terrapin Alliance at University of Maryland, College Park.