-Israel has destroyed 31 mosques in Gaza: Ministry
World News Desk: At least 55 people were killed in overnight raids carried out by Israel on the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas government revealed the information on Sunday (October 22), after Israel announced it was stepping up strikes.
“More than 55 martyrs,” the government press office said in a statement on the latest night of bombing in response to the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7.
It added that more than 30 homes had been destroyed in the hours after an Israeli military spokesman said that raids would be increased.
The Hamas government says more than 4,300 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israeli raids since the war started in response to the worst attacks suffered by Israel with 1,400 dead, also mainly civilians.
Israel has massed tens of thousands of troops around Gaza for a widely predicted ground invasion. It says its daily raids have already killed many Hamas leaders and military commanders._Agencies
Israel has destroyed 31 mosques in Gaza: Ministry
Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip have destroyed five more mosques, bringing the total number to 31 since October 7, the Gaza-based Endowments and Religious Affairs Ministry said.
“The number of mosques completely destroyed since the beginning of Israel’s attacks on Gaza has increased to 31,” the ministry said in a statement on Sunday (October 22).
On Saturday, it also highlighted the Israeli bombardment of several civilian sites such as the ministry’s headquarters, the ministry’s Quran radio station and a church.
It said that 10 employees from the ministry lost their lives in these attacks, and others had been injured.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since October 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers._Agencies
