Palestinian death toll rises to 29,410 (Lead)

The ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza have led to a spike in Palestinian casualties, with the death toll rising to 29,410 and 69,465 others wounded since the Israel-Hamas war broke out. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 97 Palestinians were killed and 132 others were wounded in the past 24 hours. The heavy bombardment has left some victims trapped under rubble with limited access to civil defense and ambulance crews.

Multiple airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Palestinians, including children, when homes in the Al-Sabra and Al-Zaytoun neighborhoods in Gaza City were bombed. Additionally, artillery shells fired at residential homes in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza caused further casualties among residents. Warplanes also conducted three raids in the border area of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, targeting homes without causing casualties.

The Israeli offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip was launched in response to a Hamas incursion into southern Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. The escalation of violence has led to a significant increase in casualties on both sides, with no immediate signs of a ceasefire.

The situation in Gaza remains dire as the conflict continues to escalate, with no clear resolution in sight. The mounting casualties and destruction of residential areas are causing immense suffering for the people of Gaza, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The international community continues to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations to bring an end to the cycle of violence in the region. The urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict is evident as the death toll and number of casualties continue to rise, underscoring the devastating impact of the ongoing violence on the civilian population.

The latest escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict has once again brought into focus the urgent need for a lasting and sustainable peace agreement to bring an end to the cycle of violence and bloodshed in the region. The tragic loss of life and suffering in Gaza serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for a comprehensive and lasting solution to the longstanding issues in the region.