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Gaza death toll from Israeli airstrikes climbs to 5,087: Health Ministry

October 23, 2023 at 2:56 pm

An injured woman cries near a lying lifeless body after Israeli airstrikes hit Ridwan neighborhood of Gaza City, Gaza on October 23, 2023. [Ali Jadallah – Anadolu Agency]

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 5,087, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said on Monday, Anadolu Agency reports.

The fatalities include 2,055 children, 1,119 women and 217 elders

Ministry spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qudra, told a news conference in Gaza City.

He said 15,273 people were also injured in the Israeli attacks.

The Israeli occupation committed 23 massacres in the past 24 hours that left 436 people dead, including 182 children

Al-Qudra also said.

The Health Ministry has, so far, received reports about 1,500 people, including 830 children, who are still trapped under the rubble.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since 7 October, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

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

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed in Hamas attacks since 7 October, according to Israeli authorities.

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