RAMALLAH, Dec 17 — The death toll in the Gaza Strip and West Bank from continuous Israeli aggression since October 7 has rose to 19,088, with over 54,450 individuals wounded.
The Zionist attacks against the Palestinian people entered their 71th day yesterday.
In a statement, the Palestinian Health Ministry said the documented number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has reached 18,800, while the death toll in the West Bank also surged to 288, the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) reported.
In addition, 51,000 Palestinians have been injured in Gaza, and nearly 3,450 others in the West Bank.
Among the casualties in Gaza, over 300 were healthcare workers, 86 journalists, 35 civil defence personnel, and 135 UNRWA staff.
The Health Ministry reiterated its warnings about the dangers of the depletion of vaccine supplies in Gaza, which could lead to catastrophic health consequences, especially among displaced individuals in overcrowded shelters.
It has documented 360,000 cases of infectious diseases in shelters but believes the actual number to be higher.
With only 11 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza partially operational and able to admit new patients, healthcare services are severely affected by the Israeli aggression, according to the ministry. Notably, only one hospital in the north is operational, according to the World Health Organisation.
The year 2023 is considered the bloodiest for Palestinians in the West Bank since 2005, with 496 victims recorded since the beginning of the year.
Wafa reported the Health Ministry also warned of increasing Israeli attacks on hospitals, health centres, and ambulance vehicles in the West Bank, which further obstruct access to essential healthcare services.
— Bernama
