JERUSALEM: More than 700 Palestinians were martyred in overnight Israeli air strikes, Gaza’s Health Ministry said, highest 24-hour death toll since Israel began bombing campaign to crush Hamas fighters who stunned country with deadly October 7 attack.

Israel said it had killed dozens of Hamas fighters in overnight strikes on besieged enclave but said its war to destroy Islamist group would take time.

As aid agencies warned that humanitarian catastrophe was unfolding in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron flew to Israel to offer it support.

United Nations urged Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, saying aid let in so far met tiny fraction of needs of beleaguered population. Fuel, still blocked, was crucial.

“We are on our knees asking for that sustained, scaled up, protected humanitarian operation,” said Dr Rick Brennan, WHO Regional Emergencies Director.

Gaza’s Health Ministry said at least 5,791 Palestinians have been killed in strikes on Hamas-ruled enclave since October 7, including 2,360 children. Total of 704 were killed in previous 24 hours alone, it said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 25 2023

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