UPDATE – Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza tops 1,400

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By Anadolu staff

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The Palestinian death toll rose to 1,417 from a massive Israeli air campaign against the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry said Thursday.

It said fatalities include 447 children and 248 women.

At least 6,268 people were injured in the bombardment since Saturday, including 1,531 children and 932 women, according to a statement.

Ten medics were also killed in Israeli attacks, said the ministry.

Israeli forces have launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the attack was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

That has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

At least 1,300 Israelis were killed and more than 3,300 injured in the Hamas attack, according to official figures.