Gaza death toll climbs to 35,272 with no let-up in Israeli assault

By Ahmed Asmar

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – At least 35,272 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Thursday.

At least 79,205 other people have been injured in the onslaught, the ministry added in a statement.

“At least 39 people were killed and 64 others injured in four Israeli ‘massacres’ against families in Gaza in the last 24 hours,” it said.

“Many of the victims are still trapped under rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” it added.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7 which killed some 1,200 people.

Over seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.