Five more killed in Gaza, death toll rises to 232: ministry

The number of people killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes since May 10 has risen to 232, the enclave's health ministry said Thursday as it confirmed five new deaths.

According to the Hamas-run ministry's updated tally, the toll includes 65 children and 1,900 wounded.

Twelve people have been killed in Israel from Palestinian rocket fire, according to Israeli authorities. 

Israel launched its air campaign on the Gaza Strip on May 10 in response to rocket fire from the enclave's rulers, the group Hamas, which came following police violence against Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem.

The UN says nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced and 2,500 have lost their homes.

Strikes have knocked out the only Covid-19 testing laboratory in Gaza, the territory's health ministry has said.

My neighbor's kids rushed to the street amidst explosions to save a little scared puppy & I can't be more proud of them. Those kids are so brave & human, gives me hope. #Gaza #GazaUnderAttack #GenociedinGaza

— Omar Ghraieb🇵🇸 (@Omar_Gaza) May 20, 2021

On Monday, Amnesty International urged the ICC to probe Israeli bombing of homes in Gaza as war crimes.

The London-based NGO said it had identified "four deadly attacks" conducted by Israel against properties in the Strip where no advanced warning was provided.

The human rights organisation said locals informed them there was nothing militarily relevant in the areas hit when the bombardment occurred, despite Israeli claims it only acts in such cases.

Amnesty deputy Middle East and North Africa Director Saleh Higazi said these were "brazen deadly attacks on family homes".

He added: "Israel has demonstrated a callous disregard for lives of Palestinian civilians who are already suffering the collective punishment of Israel’s illegal blockade on Gaza since 2007."

"Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian property and infrastructure are war crimes, as are disproportionate attacks," Higazi continued.