GAZA - The death toll of Palestinians from Israeli military strikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to 7,028, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Thursday.

So far, 18,484 Palestinians have been injured since the fighting broke out, the ministry said in a statement.

Israel has launched massive airstrikes and limited ground operations against Gaza in retaliation for a surprise attack by Gaza-ruling Hamas militants on Israeli military targets and towns on Oct 7, which has killed at least 1,400 people in Israel.