DUBAI, December 24. /TASS/. Dozens of civilians, including children and women, were killed over the past 24 hours as a result of Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, the Palestine News Agency reported.

Israeli fighter jets and cannon gunnery have been intensively shelling the town of Khan Yunis in the south, as well as have pounded residential neighborhoods of Deir al-Balah in the central part of the enclave, killing and injuring dozens of civilians. At the same time, Israeli forces continued their land invasion of Gaza City, the northern parts of the Strip and the vicinity of Khan Yunis.

At least 201 Palestinians have been killed and about 370 suffered wounds in the last 24 hours as a result of the Israeli army's actions in the besieged enclave, the Qatari TV channel Al Jazeera said.

According to preliminary figures, the escalation of the Middle East conflict has claimed 20,258 lives in the Gaza Strip since October 7, while 53,688 residents of the enclave have been injured, with over 70% of them being women and children.

Tensions in the Middle East flared up again on October 7 after militants from the radical Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of border communities and taking people hostage, including women, children and the elderly. Israel announced a total blockade of Gaza and started carrying out strikes on targets in the enclave, as well as on certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.