Jerusalem, Oct 23 (EFE).- The death toll from Israeli aerial bombings in the besieged Gaza Strip, under the control of the Islamist group Hamas, has surpassed 5,000, according to the health ministry on Monday.
Israel began raining bombs on the Palestinian enclave since Oct.7 in response to an audacious multi-pronged attack by hundreds of Hamas militants.
The Hamas incursion and subsequent gunfire attacks and rockets resulted in the deaths of 1,400 Israelis and the capture of over 200 hostages, who were taken into Gaza.
The Gaza health ministry said at least 5,087 people have lost their lives in the strip due to Israeli bombings.
Of these casualties, 40 percent are children, and 22 percent are women or the elderly.
The Israeli bombings have also left more than 15,000 people injured, requiring medical attention.
Gaza health ministry spokesperson Ashraf al Qudra said the most recent Israeli bombing resulted in 436 deaths, primarily in the southern part of the strip.
The spokesperson said the actual toll might be higher, as there are reports of 1,500 people trapped under the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli air strikes.
Among the slain are at least 57 healthcare workers.
Tensions have also escalated in the occupied West Bank since the war began.
At least 95 Palestinians have lost their lives in clashes with Israeli forces and settlers in the region.
The Israeli army said on Monday that it targeted over 320 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad group infrastructure in the last 24 hours.
The military said troops engaged with militants within the enclave, particularly in an area adjacent to the border fence. EFE
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