Gaza death toll rises to 1959


The Palestinian death toll from Israel's weeks-long military onslaught on the Gaza Strip has risen to 1959, according to a Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman."Medics have pulled several dead bodies out from under the rubble of demolished homes in recent hours," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra told Anadolu Agency on Thursday.He said at least 10,196 Palestinians had also been injured.Al-Qodra said the fatalities included 470 children, 343 women and 88 elderly people.A new five-day ceasefire between Palestinian factions and Israel went into effect on Thursday as part of efforts aimed at reaching a permanent truce deal.Palestinian factions, however, have linked any permanent ceasefire to concessions by Israel, including the lifting of a years-long blockade on the Gaza Strip and allowing the establishment of a Gaza seaport, among other longstanding demands.At least 67 Israelis-64 soldiers and three civilians-have also been killed since Israel's offensive began on July 7.