The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 11,078, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said on Friday.
“The victims include 4,506 children, 3,027 women, and 678 elderly people, while 27,490 people were injured,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told a news conference in Gaza City.
He said 2,700 people, including 1,500 children, were also reported to be trapped under the rubble of buildings flattened by Israeli strikes.
“The Israeli aggression has left 198 medics dead and 53 ambulances destroyed,” the spokesman added.
“Israel targeted 135 health institutions and put 21 hospitals and 47 primary care health centers out of service,” he said.
Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. Nearly 1,600 Israelis have been killed since then, according to official figures.
Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements, basic supplies are running low for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents due to an Israeli siege.