Egypt’s Health Ministry says death toll surpasses 10,000 in Israel-Hamas conflict

The Egyptian Health Ministry reported that as at yesterday the death toll has tragically exceeded 10,000, with Palestinian casualties in Gaza reaching at least 8,796, including 3,648 children and 2,290 women, Additionally, over 1,400 people in Israel have lost their lives.

Around 320 foreign citizens and severely injured Gazans crossed into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. They were part of an initial list of 500 evacuees under a deal between Israel, Egypt, and Hamas.

The Egyptian Health Ministry mentioned that some of them have been transferred to hospitals in North Sinai, and medical examinations, including necessary vaccinations, were conducted for 117 foreign nationals, including 35 children.

The rising death toll in the Gaza Strip, particularly with hospitals and refugee shelters being affected and nearly 70% of those reported killed are children and women. It was stated that around 3,200 children have lost their lives in Gaza in just three weeks and the number of children killed in the Gaza Strip is higher than the annual figures for children killed in conflict zones worldwide since 2019.

Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees, made a powerful point by saying that this cannot just be seen as “collateral damage.

Even though international calls for a humanitarian ceasefire were made, Israel continued heavy bombings on the densely populated Gaza Strip and intensified its ground offensive.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported engaging in fierce battles with Hamas deep within Gaza, targeting numerous military targets and militants. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that coordinated strikes will continue from the air, ground, and sea. The military is taking action to expose tunnels and deal heavy blows to enemies within.

Bolivia has to severed its diplomatic ties with Israel, while Jordan, Chile, and Colombia have called back their ambassadors.