The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced in its daily report today that the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza due to the Israeli genocidal war ongoing since October 7 has now reached 35,272, in addition to 79,205 injured.

Additionally, it confirmed that the Israeli occupation forces committed four massacres in 24 hours only, killing 39 and injuring 64.

"He was my only brother"

A heartbroken Palestinian man mounrs over the loss of his only beloved brother, who was killed in the ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Rafah. pic.twitter.com/DQ7B95MsVj

— PALESTINE ONLINE 🇵🇸 (@OnlinePalEng) May 16, 2024

The ministry stressed that thousands of victims are still under the rubble on the streets, as the occupation forces continue to deliberately prevent ambulances and civil defense crews from reaching them. 

The genocide is ongoing

Israeli occupation forces continue their aggression on various areas of the Gaza Strip for 223 days, resulting in more civilian casualties.

In Gaza City, medical sources reported that over 30 civilians, including 10 children, were killed as Israeli warplanes targeted al-Ghafri, Jahjouh, and al-Dalu families in Abu Iskandar, al-Sidra, and al-Sahaba Street areas, WAFA news agency reported.

In Rafah, at least four individuals were killed and others were wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a residence south of the city. Furthermore, one civilian was killed and others were injured in a bombing targeting the al-Awda Roundabout in the city center, while Israeli artillery continued to target the Khirbet al-Adas and al-Geneina neighborhoods to the East.

Meanwhile, journalist Mohammad Jahjouh and several members of his family were killed in an Israeli bombing that struck their home in northern Gaza.

Say his name: Mahmoud Jahjouh, something like the 147th journalist killed in Gaza. @Timesofgaza reports he was “with Palestine Post [and] was killed along with several members of his family in an Israeli airstrike targeting his family home in Northern Gaza.” pic.twitter.com/an4cm5UOTo

— 🍉Prof. Thrasher is with our students🔻 (@thrasherxy) May 16, 2024

🇵🇸💔Burying martyrs of the family of fellow journalist Mahmoud Jahjouh; Those who rose after the occupation bombed their home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City at dawn today‼️🥀🤲 pic.twitter.com/u5F933ZnXG

— Ellen Jean Abare (@EllenJeanAbare) May 16, 2024

Israeli warplanes also conducted intense airstrikes on the al-Hoja Street area in the Jabalia refugee camp, destroying a residential neighborhood.

Additionally, at least five people sustained injuries in an Israeli drone strike targeting the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Kindergarten in al-Faluga.

Read more: UN runs out of tents, food in southern Gaza due to Israeli blockade

Director of Kuwaiti Hospital warns of health disaster in Rafah

Suhayb al-Hams, director of the Kuwaiti Specialized Hospital in Rafah, has appealed to the World Health Organization (WHO) to fulfill its responsibilities and supply the hospital, which is currently the only operational hospital in Rafah, with medications and fuel.

Al-Hams also urged the WHO and the Red Cross to protect the medical staff at the hospital to ensure the continued delivery of healthcare to the wounded and sick.

Moreover, al-Hams warned of a looming health disaster in Rafah due to the ongoing aggression by the Israeli occupation forces and the expansion of the military operation into the city, demanding that international institutions immediately open a safe passage to ensure that there are no obstacles to the entry of health and humanitarian supplies to Rafah.