The Israeli aggression on Gaza is continuing unabated and bombardment from land, sea, and air is leaving a trail of blood that is thickening by the hour, with Palestinian medical sources putting the human toll so far into the 16th day of assault at ten dead and scores wounded.
This comes as Israel now admits to the death of two of its officers in an exchange of fire with the Palestinians.
To date, the number of Palestinians killed in the onslaught stands at 635 victims, including 161 children, 66 women, and 35 elderly people. The number of those injured is 4,030 people including 1,213 children, 698 women, and 161 elderly people.
Early this morning, Israeli warplanes fired missiles on a mosque in Beit Hanoun, north Gaza Strip, causing great damage. The Israeli Army also violently bombarded the outskirts of Khan Younis, Beit Lahia, Al-Bureij refugee camp, and Al-Shujaiaa neighborhood leaving material damage and a number of deaths and casualties.
Reports indicate that since early this morning, the attacks caused five deaths and 30 casualties, with expectation the number of those killed would go up quickly. Three of those injured are said to be in critical condition.
The heavy bombardment had forced the Palestinian Health Ministry to evacuate the hospital in eastern Khan Younis after highly explosive Israeli ordinance hit its parameters.
Medical staff meanwhile fears a high death toll in Khuzaaa town along the Israeli wall following heavy bombing today at dawn with ambulances unable to reach the area.
Health Ministry Spokesman Dr. Ashraf Al-Qudra urged all international and humanitarian agencies to provide protection to Palestinian medical staff and patients amid ongoing Israeli bombardment at parameters of hospitals and health centers and facilities. He said the Israelis had deliberately targeted these centers. Israeli forces had recently attacked Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah City leaving a number of victims between dead and wounded.
On the Israeli side, a spokesman for the army said that two Israeli soldiers were killed Tuesday evening in fighting in Gaza Strip. Both were officers in the IDF armored corps, and they were killed by sniper fire in the Gaza Strip. The spokesman added that 20 army personnel were injured on Tuesday and that three of the wounded are in critical condition.
According to Israeli count, over the last 24 hours, three soldiers were seriously wounded, nine were moderately wounded, and eight sustained light wounds. Since the Gaza operation began, 29 soldiers and officers were killed, the spokesperson had indicated. The number of those wounded since start of land operations went above 200, he said.
Israel's Operation Protective Edge entered its 16th day on Wednesday, which is the 6th day of the IDF's ground incursion into Gaza Strip.