The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,265, according to Gaza-based health authorities in a statement on Thursday.
Over the past 24 hours, 42 more people were killed and 163 others wounded, bringing the total number of injuries to 93,144 since the conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7, 2023.
The health authorities noted that many victims remain trapped under rubble, inaccessible to ambulance and civil defense crews.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned on social media platform X that critical water wells and sanitation infrastructure have been repeatedly damaged throughout the war.
The agency highlighted that overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and extreme heat have made access to clean water a significant challenge in the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s large-scale offensive in Gaza follows a Hamas attack on October 7, which left about 1,200 people dead and approximately 250 others taken hostage in southern Israel.
