Online Desk: The health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said that at least 19,453 people had been killed in the Palestinian territory from the Israel-Hamas war since October 7.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said at a press conference that 52,286 other people have also been injured in the offensive.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack, while nearly 130 hostages remain in captivity.

About 70 percent of those killed are said to be women and children. Many people are missing, presumably buried under the rubble, waiting for rescue or recovery.

Between 16 December and 18 December, ten Israeli soldiers were killed because of the fighting in Gaza, including one soldier who died as a result of injuries sustained on 14 December.

According to the Israeli military, since the start of the ground operations, 129 soldiers have been killed in Gaza, and 704 have been injured.