Death toll hit 1,100 in Gaza Strip from Israeli airstrikes: Health Ministry

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The death toll rose to 1,000 from ongoing Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, the Palestine Health Ministry said Wednesday.

It said at least 5,339 people were also injured in the bombardment and 60% of the injuries have affected women and children.

Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas 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.

Hamas said was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

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

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

Israeli figures showed that at least 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas attack.