The Hamas-controlled health ministry announced on Friday that at least 4,137 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli strikes during the past two weeks.

The ministry said another 13,162 people have been wounded in the bombardments ongoing since October 7 when Hamas launched an onslaught on Israel.

The death toll includes 16 people who were killed in the bombing of the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church on Thursday (October 19) night. Witnesses told the AFP news agency the air raid appeared to have been aimed at a target close to the 12th-century place of worship where many residents had taken refuge as the war raged in the enclave.

The Israeli military told AFP that its fighter jets had hit a command and control centre involved in launching rockets and mortars towards Israel. “As a result of the IDF [Israeli army] strike, a wall of a church in the area was damaged,” it said, adding “we are aware of reports on casualties. The incident is under review.”

According to the health ministry, 46 medical personnel have died and 85 others were wounded in Gaza in the past two weeks. 7 hospitals and 21 healthcare centres are out of service due to the lack of fuel for generators amidst the ongoing siege on the Gaza Strip.

On the other hand, Palestinians in Gaza are awaiting humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. 

On the side of Israel, 1,400 people are reported to have died, most of them being civilians. The Israeli military said it had recovered the bodies of more than 1,500 Hamas fighters inside Israel since the fighting began on October 7.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) statement on October 18, at least 17 journalists were among the more than 4,000 dead on both sides since the war began on October 7. The journalists confirmed dead include 13 Palestinian, 3 Israeli, and 1 Lebanese. 8 journalists were reported injured and 3 journalists were reported missing or detained.