RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Hamas has released figures saying the official death toll in Gaza has passed 20,000, and the World Health Authority has backed this assessment.
But the aid agency, Islamic Relief, is warning that the actual toll is likely to be even higher because many are buried underneath the rubble.
It says the vast majority of the dead are civilians and include all sectors of Palestinian society. 40 per cent are children.
Places of worship have come under attack, with at least 112 mosques and three churches bombed, many of which are sheltering families.
Islamic Relief is urging world leaders to demand a ceasefire. But the United Nations has delayed a vote on a ceasefire and aid delivery for a third day.