Palestinian death toll in Gaza nears 41,000: health authorities

GAZA - The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,988, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Monday.

In the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 16 people and wounded 64 others, bringing the total number of deaths to 40,988 and injuries to 94,825 since the conflict began in early October 2023, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said in a press statement that its teams in northern Gaza have faced a severe shortage of fuel supplies for nearly three weeks. The rescue organization indicated that it is now operating at minimum capacity, exacerbating the humanitarian and health crisis in the area.

The Indonesian and Kamal Adwan hospitals in northern Gaza also warned of a potential suspension of services due to fuel shortages, amid the ongoing Israeli blockade and restrictions on fuel supplies. Both hospitals said that an imminent suspension of medical services would pose a major threat to the lives of the sick and injured within their facilities.

Israel has been conducting large-scale military operations and imposing a severe blockade on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, in response to a surprise attack by Hamas on Israeli towns adjacent to the strip.