Gaza’s death toll from Israeli attacks soars to 9,227

GAZA CITY

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 9,227, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said on Friday.

"The victims include 3,826 children and 2,405 women, while 23,516 other people were injured,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a news conference in Gaza City.

He said 2,100 people are still trapped under the rubble in Gaza, including 1,200 children.

“The Israeli attacks left 136 medics dead and 25 ambulances destroyed,” al-Qudra said.

“Sixteen massacres have been documented within the past hours, taking 196 victims, raising the total number of massacres committed by the occupation to 997,” he added.

He said Israeli forces have targeted more than 102 health care facilities in Gaza since Oct. 7, even though under the rules of war, such facilities should be exempt from attacks.

“Some 16 hospitals and 32 primary care centers were forced out of service due to the Israeli assault and fuel shortage,” he added.

This week the Israeli army has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 10,600 people have been killed in the conflict, including 9,061 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.

Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements of people, basic supplies are running low for the 2.3 million residents in Gaza due to the Israeli siege.

*Writing by Ziad Aslan in Ankara