Israeli Offensive on Gaza: Children and Women Account for 70% of Casualties

IQNA – In a harrowing report released by the Palestinian Health Ministry, it has been revealed that during Israel's recent military aggression against the Gaza Strip, a staggering 70% of the nearly 18,800 lives lost were women and children.

The grim statistics cover a brutal 70-day period from October 7 to December 15, painting a bleak picture of the toll exacted on the besieged territory.

The health ministry disclosed that among the victims were more than 300 health sector workers, 86 journalists, 135 UNRWA employees, and around 35 civil defense workers.

Over 51,100 Palestinians have been wounded, with an additional number of people still unaccounted for.

The dire situation extends to the healthcare infrastructure, with only eight out of 36 Gaza hospitals partially functional, Press TV reported.

Occupancy rates in inpatient departments and intensive care units have skyrocketed to 206% and 250%, respectively.

Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said the occupation regime deliberately targets hospitals, asserting that such actions aim to "eliminate" the Palestinian territory's healthcare system.

The Israeli military's attacks on Gaza hospitals, which have resulted in the deaths of many Palestinians, have drawn condemnation for violating international law. Israel claims that medical facilities in Gaza are being used as a command and control center by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group, but it has provided no evidence to support this claim.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, in an interview with Al Jazeera, described the situation in Gaza as "unprecedented" and "staggering."

He expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding, emphasizing the shocking number of women and children killed in just 40 days—exceeding the civilian casualties in the Ukraine war.

Israel waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The regime has also imposed a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to 2.3 million Palestinians living there.

About 90 percent of Gaza’s population have been displaced within the territory, where UN agencies say there is no safe place.

Source: Agencies