Palestinian health ministry says death toll in Israel-Gaza war rises to 5,000

The Palestinian health ministry has said that the death toll in Israel-Gaza war has risen to over 5,000 which includes over 2,000 children while other fifteen thousand have been injured. Israel yesterday confirmed it had killed dozens of Hamas fighters overnight in strikes on Gaza but added that its war to destroy them will take time.

In a statement, Israeli President Isaac Herzog yesterday said, Israel does not want a war with militant group Hezbollah, but Lebanon will pay the price if the two countries are pitted into such an altercation.According to media reports, Hamas will release another 50 hostages. Red Cross representatives are allegedly on their way to Gaza to take out the hostages. 

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has said that any discussions about a Gaza ceasefire could only take place if Hamas frees all hostages seized from Israel.

The United Nations urged Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, trapped in a humanitarian crisis. The UN



said fuel is still blocked which is crucial to save the lives of people and run hospitals.

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed “solidarity” with Israel amid its continued bombardment of the Gaza Strip, weeks after deadly attacks launched by the Palestinian group, Hamas. In a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Macron added that France and Israel share a “common enemy” in defeating terrorism.

Macron said stability in the Middle East will only be possible if Israel allows for a “political approach” to the conflict and also called on the countries that fought against ISIL (ISIS) to come together again.

Macron is the latest Western leader to visit Israel, following counterparts from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and others. He is also one of the few Western leaders also expected to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.