In the latest wave of Israeli military operations, 138 people were killed and 625 injured in the Gaza Strip between Thursday and Friday. Gaza's Health Ministry released this information in a statement on Friday evening.
According to the ministry's statement, the Israeli forces' operations from Thursday to Friday have brought the total number of fatalities in Gaza over the past 21 months to 57,268, with the injured toll reaching 135,173.
"However, the actual number of killed and injured is much higher. Many remain trapped under rubble and could not be recovered," the ministry's statement added.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began their operation in Gaza in October 2023. Ministry data indicates that after Monday, the total death toll in Gaza due to Israeli military operations has reached 54,927, with an additional 126,227 Palestinians injured.
On October 7, 2023, fighters from Hamas, the armed political group controlling the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory. They killed 1,200 people in indiscriminate firing and took 251 individuals hostage.
In response to the Hamas attack and to free the hostages, Israeli forces began their operation in Gaza on the same day. After more than 15 months of continuous operations, under pressure from the United States and other mediating countries, Israel was compelled to declare a ceasefire in Gaza on January 19.
However, even before the two-month pause concluded, the IDF resumed operations in Gaza on March 18. In this second phase of operations over the past two and a half months, 6,710 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 23,584 more injured in Gaza.
Out of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas fighters, at least 35 are still believed to be alive. The IDF has announced its intention to rescue them through military operations.
(Source: Anadolu Agency)
