The Health Ministry in Gaza says 16,248 Palestinians have been killed and more than 42,000 wounded since the Israel-Hamas war broke out two months ago. The ministry said Tuesday evening that the death toll included more than 6,000 children and more than 4,000 women.
Quick Read
- High Casualty Figures in Gaza War: The Health Ministry in Gaza reports a significant increase in casualties since the Israel-Hamas war erupted two months ago, with 16,248 Palestinians killed and over 42,000 wounded.
- Child and Women Casualties: Among the deceased are more than 6,000 children and over 4,000 women, highlighting the severe impact on civilians.
- Spike in Deaths Post-Truce: The death toll saw a sharp rise following the collapse of a weeklong truce on December 1, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed since the resumption of fighting.
- U.S. Concern for Civilian Safety: The United States has called on Israel to enhance efforts to protect Palestinian civilians, particularly in southern Gaza, as the military campaign intensifies.
- Leaflets in Khan Younis: Israeli forces reportedly dropped leaflets in Khan Younis, quoting a Quranic verse interpreted by residents as a warning of more severe actions to come.
- Residents’ Interpretations and Fears: The leaflets, quoting “The flood overtook them as they were wrongdoers,” have been interpreted by residents as an indication of further escalation, potentially linked to Hamas’ naming of their attack or Israeli strategies against Hamas’ tunnels.
The Associated Press has the story:
Gaza’s Health Ministry says that The War Death Toll tops 16,200
Newslooks- KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip
The Health Ministry in Gaza says 16,248 Palestinians have been killed and more than 42,000 wounded since the Israel-Hamas war broke out two months ago.
The ministry said Tuesday evening that the death toll included more than 6,000 children and more than 4,000 women.
The figures show a sharp rise in deaths since a weeklong truce between Israel and Hamas collapsed on Dec. 1. Since the resumption of fighting Friday, more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed, according to the Health Ministry.
The United States had urged Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians as its blistering air and ground campaign shifted to southern Gaza, particularly in and around Khan Younis, the territory’s second largest city.
LEAFLETS IN KHAN YOUNIS
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Residents of Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza and the latest focus of the Israeli military’s ground offensive, say the army has showered the area with leaflets quoting a verse in the Quran.
Palestinians deciding whether to flee Khan Younis as Israeli tanks draw closer viewed the quoted verse, “The flood overtook them as they were wrongdoers,” as an ominous portent.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment when asked about the leaflet drop.
Journalist Aamer Tabsh in Khan Younis said he saw Israeli planes drop thousands of the fliers.
Tabsh said residents are convinced the reference to the epic flood of Noah in the Quran and Bible “means that something much worse is coming.”
Some are linking it to Hamas’ name for its Oct. 7 attack against Israel, Al Aqsa Flood Battle. Others pointed to recent reports that the Israeli military was considering flooding Hamas’ subterranean tunnel network with seawater to force out the militants.
