UPDATES WITH REPORT ON NUMBER OF ISRAELI SOLDIERS CLASSIFIED AS DISABLED, CHANGES DECK
By Ikram Kouachi
ANKARA (AA) — The Israeli Health Ministry on Sunday said the number of Israelis injured since the start of the armed conflict with Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 has risen to 5,132.
In a statement, the ministry said 47 of the injured people are in serious condition.
The Israeli death toll stands at 1,400 since Oct. 7, according to Israeli official statements.
According to the local private broadcaster Channel 12, the Israeli army has classified 1,210 injured soldiers as "disabled" since Oct. 7. The military had previously announced that 307 of its members had lost their lives.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children and 1,023 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza.