Death toll rises to 2,670 in Gaza: ministry

Gaza, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The number of Palestinian deaths has risen to 2,670, with more than 9,600 injuries reported, according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry.

Ashraf Al-Qudra, a spokesman of the ministry, said the Israeli attacks "continue with all brutality," noting that the attacks have targeted residential neighborhoods and destroyed homes "on the heads of the residents."

He added that rescue operations "are facing great difficulties" as a result of the massive destruction in residential neighborhoods and the roads leading to hospitals.

The Gaza-ruling Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip a week ago, killing more than 1,300 people in Israel and prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes on Gaza.