The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the Israeli occupation forces have committed 5 massacres against families in Gaza in the previous 24 hours, killing 48 Palestinians and injuring 79 others. 

Many victims remain under the rubble and on the streets as the IOF deliberately prevents ambulances and civil defense crews from reaching them. 

This brings the toll of Palestinians killed by the Israeli genocide against Gaza to 34,097 and those injured to 76,980 since October 7, according to the ministry. 

Number of respiratory disease cases spike in Gaza

Salama Marouf, the Head of Gaza's Government Media Office, reported on April 20 that hundreds in the Strip have contracted respiratory diseases due to the use of wood, coal, debris from buildings, plastic materials, and chemicals as alternatives to fuel in order to ignite fires, thus emitting toxic gases.

The Israeli blockade on Gaza has been preventing the entry of crucial necessities such as cooking gas and various other types of fuels. The northern and central parts of Gaza have been most impacted, the official noted.

Numbers of registered cases of persons affected by respiratory diseases have spiked as a result of citizens relying on igniting fires with unsafe materials for prolonged hours daily over the past months, whether for cooking, heating water, or even illumination purposes.

Gaza authorities warn of serious consequences due to these conditions, including increased possibilities of contracting lung cancer and respiratory diseases due to the toxic fumes.