Gaza Health Ministry Reports 274 Palestinian Casualties in Israeli Raid

Gaza Health Ministry Reports 274 Palestinian Casualties in Israeli Raid

Keywords: Gaza, Israel, Raid, Hostages, Casualties

The Gaza Health Ministry has announced that 274 Palestinians were killed and over 2,000 were injured during an Israeli military raid that rescued four hostages. The raid, launched on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, targeted a militant group holding Israeli soldiers captive in northern Gaza.

According to the Health Ministry, the vast majority of casualties were civilians, including women and children. The raid also destroyed numerous homes and other civilian infrastructure, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian territory.

The Israeli military claimed that the raid was necessary to secure the release of the hostages, who had been abducted several days earlier. However, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have strongly condemned the operation, calling it a “massacre” and a “violation of international law.”

The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the civilian casualties and called for an independent investigation. The international community has also urged both sides to de-escalate tensions and return to the negotiating table.

The raid has further strained the already tense relationship between Israel and the Palestinians. It remains unclear what the long-term consequences of the operation will be, but it is likely to have a significant impact on the peace process and the lives of civilians in Gaza.