Gaza death toll tops 44,700 amid relentless Israeli attacks

By Ikram Kouachi

ANKARA (AA) – At least 44 more Palestinians were killed in relentless Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll since last year to 44,708, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Sunday.

A ministry statement added that some 106,050 others were also injured in the ongoing assault.

“Israeli forces killed 44 people and injured 74 others in four massacres of families in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said.

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

On Oct. 7, 2023, Israel launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip after a Hamas attack, and has continued it for some 14 months since, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The second year of genocide in Gaza has drawn growing international condemnation, with officials and institutions denouncing the attacks and blocking of aid deliveries as a deliberate attempt to destroy the population.

On Nov. 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.