Update – Death Toll From Israel's Gaza Onslaught Jumps To 745

The Palestinian death toll from Israel's devastating military offensive against the Gaza Strip rose to 745 on Thursday, a Health Ministry spokesman said.



"At least 745 people have been killed and 4633 injured in ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra told Anadolu Agency.



He said the fatalities had included 182 children and 92 women, 45 elderly people.



The spokesman said the highest number of Thursday's fatalities was reported in Khuza'a village in the southern Khan Younis city, which has been under devastating Israeli bombardments since Wednesday.



Israeli forces escalated its onslaught on eastern Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip since Wednesday, leaving dead and wounded under rubble, according to medics.



Since July 7, Israel has pummeled the Gaza Strip with fierce air and naval bombardments with the ostensible aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.



Last week, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled coastal enclave.



According to official Israeli figures, 32 Israelis – including 30 soldiers – have been killed since hostilities began.



Israel's operation "Protective Edge" is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populated strip – home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



In 2008/9, over 1500 Palestinians were killed – the vast majority of them civilians – during Israel's three-week-long "Operation Cast Lead."



By Ola Attalah



englishnews@aa.com.tr



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