Germany Confirms Death Of German Citizens İn Gaza

Germany has confirmed the death of seven German citizens of Palestinian descent in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.



A German foreign ministry official told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that German citizens Ibrahim al-Kilani, his wife Taghrid (42) and their children Rim (12), Sawsan (11), Yassir (8), Yasemin (6) and Ilias (4) lost their lives in Israeli air strikes on a residential building in Gaza.



Kilani went to Germany 20 years ago to study engineering and returned to Gaza in 2001. 



An estimated 150,000 Palestinians live in Germany.



The Palestinian death toll from Israel's ongoing offensive against the Gaza Strip has risen to 612 following fresh Israeli attacks on the blockaded enclave on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.



Since July 7, Israel has pounded the coastal enclave with fierce air and naval bombardments with the stated aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.



On Thursday night, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled Palestinian territory.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Berlin