Gaza Health Ministry reports 51 deaths from Israeli strikes, bringing overall toll to over 52,000

[ad_1] DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Hospitals within the Gaza Strip obtained the stays of 51 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes up to now 24 hours, the native Well being Ministry stated Sunday, bringing the Palestinian demise toll from the 18-month-old Israel-Hamas conflict to 52,243.

Israel ended its ceasefire with Hamas by launching a shock bombardment on March 18, and has been finishing up every day waves of strikes since then. Floor forces have expanded a buffer zone and encircled the southern metropolis of Rafah, and now management round 50% of the territory.

Israel has additionally sealed off the territory’s 2 million Palestinians from all imports, together with meals and drugs, for almost 60 days. Support teams say provides will quickly run out and that 1000's of kids are malnourished.

The general demise toll consists of almost 700 our bodies for which the documentation course of was not too long ago accomplished, the ministry stated in its newest replace. The every day toll consists of our bodies retrieved from the rubble after earlier strikes.

Israeli strikes killed one other 12 folks after the ministry’s replace. Eight of them, together with three youngsters and two girls, have been killed in a strike on a tent within the southern metropolis of Khan Younis, in line with Nasser Hospital. A strike within the central metropolis of Deir al-Balah killed 4 folks, in line with Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Israeli authorities say the renewed offensive and tightened blockade are aimed toward pressuring Hamas to launch hostages kidnapped in its Oct. 7, 2023, assault that triggered the conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to proceed the conflict till Hamas is destroyed or disarmed, and all of the hostages are returned.

Hamas has stated it can solely launch the remaining 59 hostages — 24 of whom are believed to be alive — in trade for Palestinian prisoners, a long-lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as known as for within the now-defunct ceasefire reached in January.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 folks, largely civilians, within the Oct. 7 assault and took 251 folks hostage. Most have since been launched in ceasefire agreements or different offers.

Gaza’s Well being Ministry says girls and youngsters make up a lot of the Palestinian deaths, however doesn't say what number of have been militants or civilians. It says one other 117,600 folks have been wounded within the conflict.

The general tally consists of 2,151 lifeless and 5,598 wounded since Israel resumed the conflict final month.

Israel says it has killed round 20,000 militants, with out offering proof. The army says it tries to keep away from harming civilians and it blames Hamas for his or her deaths as a result of the militants function in densely populated areas.

Israel’s offensive has destroyed huge elements of Gaza and displaced round 90% of its inhabitants, leaving a whole bunch of 1000's of individuals sheltering in squalid tent camps or bombed-out buildings.