Death toll from Israel's Gaza onslaught rises to 611

The death toll from Israel's offensive against the Gaza Strip has risen to 611 following fresh Israeli attacks on the blockaded enclave on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. "Fifty-four people were killed today, bringing the total death toll to 611," ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra wrote on his official Twitter account.

Al-Qodra said 160 Palestinian children and 77 women have been killed in Israel's ongoing military offensive

He also added that 3745 Palestinians had also been injured, many seriously, in unrelenting Israeli attacks over the last two weeks.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, or EMHRN, said the increased targeting of civilians and civilian objects in Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip, dubbed 'Operation Protective Edge' is unacceptable. The Swiss-based network accused Israel of deliberately targeting homes and civilian facilities. It said 45 mosques and 10 health centers have been badly damaged by Israeli air strike.

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, 27 Israeli troops have since been killed in clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters.

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.