Death toll of Palestinians in Gaza rises to over 1,200

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip rose to at least 1,203 on Thursday morning.

Around 5,800 other people have been injured, the Gaza Health Ministry said, as fighting between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, gone into its sixth day.

Israel is pummeling the densely populated and impoverished Palestinian coastal enclave and has stopped entry of food, fuel and medicines, prompting dire warnings about the conditions faced by civilians in Gaza.

Israeli officials said that 1,200 Israelis have been killed since Hamas launched a bloody rampage on communities and an electronic music festival near the Gaza Strip at the weekend.

The military said 189 Israeli soldiers were among the dead.