The Gaza Health Ministry reports that the death toll in the Gaza Strip, resulting from Israeli airstrikes and raids since October 7, has reached approximately 3,478, with over 12,000 injuries. Ashraf Al-Qedra, the ministry’s spokesperson, emphasized the severe consequences of the ongoing Israeli aggression, characterizing it as an act of ethnic cleansing and a threat to Palestinian existence. Among the casualties, 70% are identified as children, women, and the elderly.
Al-Qedra also highlighted the impact on families, stating that the Israeli occupation’s actions have affected 433 families, with 2,421 injured individuals taken to hospitals, and hundreds still trapped under rubble.
These figures were released after an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital resulted in at least 471 fatalities, according to Palestinian officials. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid. It remains unclear if the hospital bombing is included in Wednesday’s figures.
The conflict was initiated on October 7 when Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, involving rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air, in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and escalating violence by Israeli settlers. In turn, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
