GAZA CITY, Palestine

The Palestinian Ministry of Health on Thursday called for urgent intervention to save thousands of wounded people in the blockaded Gaza Strip. 

Hani Hamada, head of the Operations Department of the Palestinian Health Ministry, said hospitals in Gaza are filled with a large number of wounded people who are all in serious condition and need swift intervention.

"We call on all relevant parties to intervene quickly to save thousands of injured by opening safe corridors to transport urgent medical needs to health facilities and transfer the injured out of the Gaza Strip. In addition, we request that medical delegations be sent to the city to support the medical teams in the city," Hamada said.

The ongoing conflict began when the Palestinian Hamas group launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said it was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response.

The number of Palestinians killed from Israeli attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip has risen to 1,537, the Health Ministry in Gaza announced Thursday. The statement noted that the dead included 500 children and 276 women, with 6,612 people injured.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat