(Anadolu Agency)- The Palestinian death toll from Israel's ongoing offensive against the Gaza Strip has risen to 636 following fresh Israeli attacks on the blockaded enclave early Wednesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
"At least 636 were killed and 4040 others injured in the latest Israeli attacks on Gaza," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.
He said fatalities had included at least 162 children and 78 women.
Since July 7, Israel has pounded the coastal enclave with fierce air and naval bombardments with the stated aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.
On Thursday night, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled Palestinian territory.
According to official Israeli figures, 30 Israelis – including two civilians – have since been killed since hostilities began.
Israel's military operation, dubbed "Operation Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populated Gaza Strip – which is home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.
In 2008/9, over 1500 Palestinians were killed in Israel's three-week-long "Operation Cast Lead."
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