Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks nears 18,800

By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has soared to 18,787 since Oct. 7, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said that 50,897 other people were injured in the Israeli offensive.

“At least 179 people were killed and 303 others injured in the past hours,” the spokesman added during a press conference.

“A large number of the victims remain under the rubble and on the roads,” al-Qudra said.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 1,200 people are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while around 139 hostages remain in captivity.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar