GAZA, Palestine

Women and children in Gaza are suffering approximately 60% of the injuries resulting from ongoing Israeli bombardment of the region, said the Palestinian Health Ministry in the embattled enclave on Wednesday.

Yusuf Abu al-Reesh, deputy health minister in Gaza, told Anadolu: "60% of the injuries caused by Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have impacted women and children."

Decrying the substandard state of medical care in the blockaded strip, he added: "All hospital beds have been exhausted, and both medications and medical supplies are on the verge of running out."

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air, which Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response to Hamas' actions, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​