Hospitals in Gaza have received the bodies of 51 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes over the weekend, the local Health Ministry said on Sunday, bringing the death toll from the 18-month conflict to more than 52,000.
Since ending a ceasefire with Hamas on 18 March, Israel has mounted daily air raids and expanded its ground operations, now controlling roughly half the territory and encircling the southern city of Rafah.
Also Read: Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 50,000, Health Ministry Reports
The enclave’s 2 million residents have been under near-total blockade for almost two months, with aid agencies warning of imminent shortages of food and medicine, and rising malnutrition among children.
Israeli authorities say the intensified military campaign is aimed at forcing Hamas to release hostages taken during the group’s 7 October 2023 attack.
Hamas has indicated it will only free the remaining captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoner releases, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a permanent ceasefire.
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