At least 70 Palestinians have been killed in the latest wave of Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip, bringing the total death toll to more than 46,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The attacks, which have been ongoing since October 2023, have also left over 100,000 Palestinians injured.
The health ministry’s statement, released on Thursday (9 January), reported the latest fatalities as part of the continued Israeli aggression in Gaza. The devastating airstrikes have left widespread destruction in their wake, with entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble.
"Over the last 24 hours, Israeli forces' relentless assault has resulted in 70 fatalities and 104 injuries," the statement noted.
Many people remain trapped under the debris of destroyed buildings, and rescue teams have been unable to reach them due to the ongoing bombardment.
Palestinian health authorities have expressed concern over the fate of at least 10,000 individuals who are believed to be missing under the ruins.
Gaza Strip has witnessed enormous loss of life and severe infrastructure damage, with hospitals, schools, refugee camps, mosques, and churches among the thousands of buildings destroyed or severely damaged by the relentless strikes.
The situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with the United Nations Security Council's calls for an immediate ceasefire being ignored by Israel.
Despite international appeals for peace, Israel has maintained its violent campaign in the region since the unprecedented Hamas attack on 7 October, which marked the beginning of the current conflict.
The continuous attacks have left approximately 2 million Palestinians displaced, with nearly 85% of Gaza’s population now living in conditions of food insecurity.
The territory’s infrastructure has been decimated, with around 60% of essential infrastructure, including water and sanitation systems, completely destroyed. The blockade has also created an acute shortage of food, clean water, and medical supplies, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Israel's actions in Gaza have already led to charges of genocide in international courts, as the world watches the region spiral further into chaos.
