GAZA, July 11 (RIA Novosti) - The total number of deaths in the Gaza Strip is approaching 100, a representative of the Palestinian Health Ministry told RIA Novosti Friday.
"The search for victims continues. The total number of victims of the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip has reached 98 people, more than 670 have been injured," Ashraf Kidra said.
As a result of an overnight bombardment in the city of Rafah, five relatives of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) member were killed, including a woman and a child, another 15 were wounded, according to the spokesman.
Agence France Presse citing eyewitnesses reported that the head of the family was not home during the airstrike.
Local media also reported two casualties in an overnight raid on Gaza City.
The death toll announced by the ministry may be incomplete. In particular, it does not account for at least seven militants killed in the crossfire during two attempts to cross the border into Israel.
The strikes against Gaza have not yet helped the Israeli Army achieve its main objective of stopping the Palestinian attacks. During the operation, according to the latest estimates by the Israeli Army, Palestinian militants fired 548 missiles, 118 of which were intercepted by the Air Dome defense system. Israel has not reported any casualties yet.
The fourth day of Israeli operation “Protective Edge" has begun, but the attacks are limited to remote air and naval strikes. Among the targets are the homes of Hamas activists and other Palestinian factions.
Israeli political leaders and military commanders are openly discussing the possibility of a ground invasion, which could cause a sharp increase in casualties. Approximately 40,000 reserves are already being mobilized for this purpose.
