Gaza officials report 21,500 children killed and widespread mosque destruction

The Gaza Government Media Office reported on Monday that more than 21,500 Palestinian children have been killed since the start of the conflict in October 2023. The office also stated that 1,244 out of 1,275 mosques in the Gaza Strip have been targeted, with 1,077 mosques completely destroyed.

The statement accused the Israeli military of systematically targeting civilians, homes, and places of worship. The office called on mediators to pressure Israel to cease ceasefire violations and respect existing agreements.

These reports come amid threats from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to escalate military operations and evacuate residential neighborhoods due to balloons arriving from Gaza. This follows an Israeli military claim that four balloons found near Gaza contained no suspicious materials and posed no public risk. Since October 2023, the Israeli offensive has resulted in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 174,000 injuries.