GAZA CITY
The Palestinian death toll from Israel's weeks-long military onslaught on the Gaza Strip has risen to 1980, according to a Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman.
"The death toll has risen after several injured Gazans succumbed to their wounds," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.
He said that several families had buried their relatives without registering their names. "Now they have registered their names," al-Qodra said, going on to say that medics have also pulled out some dead bodies out from under the rubble of destroyed homes.
He said at least 10,196 Palestinians had also been injured.
Al-Qodra said the fatalities included 470 children, 343 women and 88 elderly people.
A new five-day ceasefire between Palestinian factions and Israel went into effect on Thursday as part of efforts aimed at reaching a permanent truce deal.
Palestinian factions, however, have linked any permanent ceasefire to concessions by Israel, including the lifting of a years-long blockade on the Gaza Strip and allowing the establishment of a Gaza seaport, among other longstanding demands.
At least 67 Israelis – 64 soldiers and three civilians – have also been killed since Israel's offensive began on July 7.
By Ola Attalah
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
