Hamas-Israel escalation, 198 Palestinians, 100 Israelis killed

Gaza, The Gulf Observer: The airstrikes on besieged Gaza launched by Israel in response to a Hamas offensive have left 198 Palestinians dead, according to Palestine’s Health Ministry.

The ministry announced on social media that besides the soaring death toll, at least 1,600 Palestinians are wounded.

At least 100 Israelis have been killed in ongoing military escalation with Palestinian groups in Gaza, authorities said on Saturday.

The figures were confirmed by Israeli Army Radio, which said the number of injured exceeded 1,000, and the country’s health and foreign ministries.

“The fighting in southern Israel is still ongoing,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said, adding that security forces are “securing areas which are under attack by Hamas.”

Hospitals across Israel are handling hundreds of wounded individuals, with over 460 people currently receiving medical treatment.

The Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba reveals it is treating at least 280 casualties, with 60 in serious condition. The Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, near Gaza, reports treating 182 wounded people, including 12 in critical condition.

The civilian death toll is expected to escalate.