Gaza death toll surges to 35,647 as Israel escalates assault

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – At least 35,647 Palestinians have been killed in relentless Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since last Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the besieged enclave said on Tuesday.

The Israeli onslaught has also injured 79,852 people, the ministry added in a statement.

“Israeli attacks killed 85 people and injured 200 others in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said.

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

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire in the enclave.

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. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that

Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and ordered Tel Aviv to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.