WASHINGTON

The US State Department highlighted on Tuesday the tragic effect of the conflict in the Gaza Strip on civilians and said "any number above zero" is "heartbreaking."

"The facts on the ground are pretty clear. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians have lost their lives and any number above zero is tragic, problematic, heartbreaking and indicative of the fact that more needs to be done to protect civilians in Gaza," spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7, which killed less than 1,200 people.

At least 35,180 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have since been killed, and more than 79,000 injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

More than seven months into the conflict, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January said it is "plausible" that Tel Aviv is committing genocide in Gaza, ordering it to stop such acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.