Death toll in Gaza Strip exceeds 67,000: health authorities

GAZA -- The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has surpassed 67,000, Gaza's health authorities said on Saturday.

According to their statement, a total of 67,074 people have been killed and 169,430 wounded since the outbreak of the war. In a separate statement, the authorities reported that two children had died in the past 24 hours from starvation and malnutrition, bringing the total number of deaths linked to food shortages to 459, including 154 children.

Despite Israeli statements suggesting a reduction in military operations following US President Donald Trump's call for a halt to the bombing and Hamas's agreement to release all hostages, the Israeli air force carried out a series of intensive airstrikes on Gaza City on Saturday morning.

Eyewitnesses said Israeli forces also opened fire on dozens of civilians attempting to travel from southern Gaza to the northern part of the Strip via the Netzarim corridor near Rashid Street.

In a statement Saturday, the Israeli army warned residents against returning to areas north of Wadi Gaza, calling it "still a dangerous combat zone," and urged civilians to use Rashid Street to move south.

A resident of the Shati neighborhood in Gaza City described the night as "one of the most violent in weeks, with explosions and shelling continuing until the early morning hours."

Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza on October 7, 2023, following an unprecedented Hamas attack on southern Israel, which Israeli authorities said killed around 1,200 people and led to the capture of more than 250 hostages.