Health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says death toll hits 8,306

AFP :
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry said Monday that at least 8,306 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since the start of the war with Israel on October 7.

More than 1,400 people killed in Israel.

The ministry said at least 3,457 children were among the dead, as Israel continued to pound the Gaza Strip with air and artillery strikes.

Palestinians in Gaza City report receiving threats by the Israeli army over the phone telling them to evacuate as bombing continues and there are no safe routes.

Hamas says Israeli tanks and bulldozer leave outskirts of Gaza City after heavy clashes were reported.

Hamas releases video of captives demanding prisoner swap and criticising government for failing to protect people during Hamas’s October 7 attack.

At least 6,600 Palestinians are being held in Israeli jails, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society.

Before the conflict, more than 5,000 Palestinians were detained in Israeli jails.

Israel on Monday expanded its ground action inside the Gaza Strip, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “the second phase”.

Semantics aside, the not-quite-big and not-quite-rapid move that has been going on in recent days is a step up from the previous two quick in-and-out night-time incursions. But not an all-out invasion.

Israel says at least 239 people are being held captive.

It was not immediately possible to verify the identity of the women.

The Gaza Strip has suffered repeatedly in the number of onslaughts, attacks and wars Israel has waged on the besieged coastal enclave.

Since 2007, when the blockade was placed, Israel has waged six wars: In 2008, 2012, 2014, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Protests have taken place around the world calling for Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza that have killed more than 8,000 people.