Over 60 civilians have been killed in the Palestinian Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli military action in the past 24 hours, according to the enclave's health ministry.
“In the past 24 hours, the bodies of 61 Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardments and shelling in various areas of the strip were delivered to hospitals in Gaza“, the health ministry said in a statement. 220 Arabs were also injured during that time, the ministry added. The ministry noted that many victims of Israeli attacks are still buried under rubble, and ambulance crews cannot reach destroyed buildings due to constant shelling.
According to the Ministry of Health, since the beginning of Israel's military operation in Gaza in October 2023, a total of 65,344 Palestinians have been killed and 166,795 Arabs have been injured in the enclave. It is noted that during the same period, doctors recorded 2,523 deaths from hunger or chronic malnutrition among the population of the Strip.
The situation in the Middle East deteriorated sharply after armed Hamas supporters infiltrated Israeli territory from Gaza on October 7, 2023, killing residents of border communities and taking over 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a military operation in the enclave with the aim of destroying Hamas' military and political structures and freeing all the abductees.