2,800 Palestinians killed, 10,859 injured in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza: Health Ministry

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip has risen to 2,808, the Health Ministry said early Tuesday.

A ministry statement said at least 10,859 Palestinians were injured in the Israeli bombardment in the seaside enclave.

A previous statement by the ministry said that over 750 children were among those killed.

Ten days into the conflict with the Palestinian group Hamas, an Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the population of Gaza – having been displaced, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out as civilians flee to its south following an Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence against Palestinians.

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

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed.