Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks exceeds 19,600

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip mounted to 19,667 since Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the enclave said Tuesday.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra added that 52,586 other people were injured in the Israeli onslaught.

“Hospitals in Gaza’s south are no longer able to accommodate more injured people,” the spokesman said at a press conference.

Al-Qudra said 99 medical personnel are held by Israeli forces in harsh conditions.

“The detainees include the directors of Al-Shifa, Al-Adwa and Kamal Adwan hospitals,” he added.

Israel's air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas have left the Gaza Strip in ruins with half of the coastal territory's housing stock damaged or destroyed, and nearly 2 million people displaced within the densely-populated enclave amid shortages of food and clean water.

Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while more than 130 hostages remain in captivity.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara