Palestinian death toll in Gaza nears 29,000: Ministry

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 28,985, with 68,883 Palestinians wounded since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, the Israeli army killed 127 Palestinians and wounded 205 others in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry also reported that some victims remain under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defence and ambulance crews. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated that Al-Amal Hospital in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip witnessed several direct attacks from Israeli tanks. These attacks caused major material damage and led to a patient being trapped with his companions, with medical teams evacuating them at high risk.

In addition, the hospital’s fuel tanks were targeted by gunfire, and the crews were unable to determine the extent of the damage due to the high risk. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

The situation in Gaza continues to worsen as the death toll and number of wounded Palestinians rise. The conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of abating, and civilians are caught in the crossfire. The international community is urged to intervene and seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing violence.