GAZA CITY — The number of people killed during Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7 has risen to 7,950, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah said Sunday, drawing the data from sources in the Hamas-controlled enclave.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of those killed are from vulnerable populations, including children, women and elderly people, according to the ministry's report.

More than 20,000 people have been injured, the ministry added.

The reported death toll includes 116 medical personnel, as many hospitals have been hit by military strikes.

In an earlier update, the ministry said 24 hospitals in northern Gaza, with a combined capacity of 2,000 beds, had been told to evacuate.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed on Monday dozens of Hamas operatives who had barricaded themselves in buildings and tunnels were killed overnight as Israel continued its ground operations in Gaza.

In one incident, an Israeli aircraft guided by IDF ground troops struck a staging post inside a building belonging to Hamas with over 20 militants inside, the IDF said in a statement.

Overnight, a guided fighter jet also struck the area of Al-Azhar University, where IDF troops had identified what they said were armed terrorists and an anti-tank missile launching post.

Over the past few days, the IDF says it has struck more than 600 "terror targets," including weapons depots, dozens of anti-tank missile launching positions, and hideouts and staging grounds used by Hamas. — CNN