Gaza (Web Desk): At least 4,137 Palestinians were killed in Gaza in Israeli strikes since October 7, the Palestinian health ministry said.
According to the international media, more than 13,000 Palestinians have been injured, with 70 per cent of the victims being women, children, and the elderly, the ministry said.
As per the earlier reports, 1524 children, around 1000 women and 11 journalists. While nearly 12, 500 Palestinians are injured, including 2000 children and 1400 women.
In West Bank, 75 Palestinians are martyred, 1300 injured. Since October 7, the total number of Palestinians known to be detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank has risen to 860.
On Friday morning, Israeli warplanes destroyed the third biggest and 1400 year old Palestinian Grand Al-Omari Mosque in Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Earlier on Thursday, several people were killed by an Israeli air attack on the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church compound, officials in Gaza say.
The Church of St. Porphyrius’s original structure dates back to the 5th century, and the current structure was built in the 12th century. Located in a historic quarter of the city, it is named after a former bishop of Gaza, Saint Porphyrius, and placed where he is believed to have died in A.D. 420. Characterized by thick walls and a richly decorated interior, the church has long been a place of refuge and community for its members, who are a religious minority in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli bombardments took place in the residential areas around al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said. More than 8,000 Palestinians are taking refuge at the hospital.
Israeli air raids struck multiple areas in Gaza including a bakery in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Air strikes also hit a mosque in the al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City and an area adjacent to a UNRWA-run school where hundreds had taken refuge in Khan Younis.
Meanwhile, Israel again called on residents in Gaza City and the northern part of the besieged Gaza strip to evacuate to the south amid clashes with Lebanon.
Fighting and attacks along the Israel-Lebanon border continued with Israeli forces saying they responded to attacks in the Shtula area.
On the other hand, the US president Joe Biden says an agreement has been reached with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to open the Rafah crossing to allow about 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza.
While Gaza residents are enduring nights after nights of relentless Israeli bombing amid uncertainty on whether Rafah crossing will open to allow much-needed supplies into the enclave.
It should be noted that Israel after US President visit, announced that Rafah border will open on Friday to allow humanitarian aid stuck at the Egyptian side of the border. But the border is not opened yet. While Palestinian Humanitarian Organizations are ready to receive aid from Rafah border.
It is important to mention that according to multiple media reports Israel’s defence minister had suggested an imminent ground invasion, saying they will soon see the besieged enclave “from inside”.