GAZA CITY: The health ministry in Gaza said Saturday that at least 7,703 Palestinian people have been martyred in the ongoing brutal Israeli air strikes since October 7. Over 3,500 Palestinian children are among the dead.
The Gaza Strip remains engulfed in a humanitarian crisis as the health ministry reported a devastating toll of more than 7,703 lives lost in the wake of relentless and brutal Israeli air strikes since October 7. Among the victims, over 3,500 were innocent Palestinian children.
Israeli military violence has escalated, marking the deadliest period in Gaza since Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from the territory in 2005. On Friday evening, Israel intensified its bombardment, targeting several Palestinian residences and commercial buildings. The onslaught, consisting of blistering air and artillery assaults, razed hundreds of buildings and thousands of homes across the strip, as confirmed by the civil defense service in the Palestinian territory.
Israeli Forces Expand Military Operations in Gaza
Israeli forces expanded their military operations in northern Gaza, entering the region overnight with infantry and armored corps, as confirmed by the Israeli military on Saturday. While exact details of the operation remained undisclosed, a senior Hamas official, Ali Baraka, claimed that the Israeli forces suffered significant losses during their nighttime raids. Baraka revealed that Palestinian resistance forces utilized anti-tank missiles and locally-produced missiles to repel Israeli attacks.
Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group governing Gaza, vowed to confront Israeli aggression with “full force,” asserting their preparedness to defend against any incursions. Gaza endured a prolonged blackout, lasting over 12 hours, with internet and phone services severed due to Israeli bombardments, isolating the already besieged territory further.
Amidst the dire situation, Israel announced plans to allow trucks carrying essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine to enter Gaza on Saturday, indicating a temporary pause in the bombing, at least in the border area with Egypt.
