By Anadolu staff
GAZA, Palestine (AA) - The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since Oct. 7 has risen to 8,005, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Sunday.
The ministry in a statement said the figure includes 3,342 children, 2,062 women, and 460 elderly.
Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza since Oct. 7 when Hamas carried out a surprise cross-border attack. The army's spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, on Saturday announced "expanding its operations," moving to the "next phase of our war against Hamas."
Gaza's 2.3 million residents are also grappling with shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine due to Israel’s blockade of the enclave. Only a few aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the opening of the Rafah crossing point last weekend.
UN chief Antonio Guterres, speaking in Kathmandu, Nepal on Sunday, reiterated his appeal for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief at a scale that meets the needs of the people of Gaza."