Israeli Offensive Left 1980 Dead In Gaza, More Martyrs Expected

KABUL: (Middle East Press) The Ministry of Health has warned the death toll in Gaza was expected to continue to rise as dozens succumbed to wounds sustained during the assault and more bodies were recovered under the wreckage of homes.

Healthy ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said that the death toll had hit 1,980 on Friday with at least 10,181 wounded.

Dozens have been added to the death count despite a fragile calm maintained through back-to-back truces in recent weeks.

Al-Qidra said that many of those injured are still in a critical condition, and are not expected to survive their wounds.

The low survival rate is also due in part to the continued lack of appropriate medical supplies and facilities for injured patients, while 18-hour daily power cuts and a lack of fuel for generators worsen the condition of those hospitals still functioning.

The PLO estimates that that 17 hospitals and seven clinics were damaged during the attacks, 10 hospitals and 44 primary health clinics were closed, 22 ambulances were damaged, and 83 health personnel injured, along with 19 health workers died in Israeli airstrikes.