More than 20,000 dead in ongoing Israel-Hamas war: Officials

AP Photo/Hatem Ali

The ongoing war in the Middle East between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists has killed more than 20,000 people, according to officials.

Health officials in Gaza, of which the government is run by Hamas, said Friday that Israeli forces have killed more than 20,000 Palestinians. The Gazan health ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.

The Gazan health ministry also said more than 50,000 people were wounded.

Israel has blamed Hamas for the high civilian death toll in Gaza, pointing to the terror group’s use of crowded residential areas for military purposes and its tunnels under urban areas.

Israel declared war after Hamas terrorists attacked the Jewish State on Oct. 7, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking 240 people hostage. Israel has said it would continue fighting until Hamas is destroyed and removed from power in Gaza and all the hostages are released.