Gaza Death Toll Rises as Israeli Airstrikes Continue

GAZA CITY: At least 19 more Palestinians have been killed in recent Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, escalating the death toll to 42,519 since the onset of hostilities last October, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. The ministry also reported that approximately 99,637 individuals have sustained injuries amid the ongoing conflict.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Health Ministry stated on Saturday that Israeli forces executed 19 people and injured 91 others across three separate family-targeted attacks in the past 24 hours. Rescue operations remain hindered, as many individuals are trapped under debris and on roadways, with rescuers struggling to reach them due to the sustained assault.

Despite a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel’s military operations in Gaza persist, following an October 7, 2023, attack by the Palestinian group Hamas. The protracted conflict has led to widespread displacement of Gaza’s population, compounded by an enduring bl
ockade that has precipitated dire shortages of essential supplies, including food, clean water, and medical resources.

International efforts led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to broker a cease-fire and facilitate a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas have been unsuccessful, largely due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence on continuing military operations. Furthermore, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice due to its actions in Gaza.