Israel killed over 21,500 children, destroyed 1,077 mosques in Gaza: Office

The Gaza Government Media Office said Monday that Israeli forces have killed more than 21,500 Palestinian children and completely destroyed 1,077 mosques since the start of the war in October 2023. The office stated that 1,244 mosques out of 1,275 in the enclave have been targeted, with the vast majority razed to the ground.

The office said it condemned the systematic targeting of civilians and places of worship, adding that mediators must pressure Israel to halt ongoing ceasefire violations. It noted that full adherence to the truce agreement is required amid renewed threats to escalate attacks on the devastated territory.

Threats of escalation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Sunday to intensify assassinations and evacuate residential neighborhoods, citing kites reaching Israeli areas from Gaza. The warning came despite the Israeli army confirming Saturday that four kites recovered near the border contained no suspicious materials and posed no danger to the public.

The Israeli army has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 174,000 others since October 2023. Renewed threats of escalation persist as mediators struggle to secure a lasting ceasefire in the enclave.