GAZA CITY, Palestine

At least 18 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, according to a local syndicate on Sunday.

The latest victim was Palestinian journalist Rushdi Sarraj, who lost his life in Israeli attacks, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) said on Sunday in a written statement.

Speaking to Anadolu, Sarraj's wife, Shuruk al-Ayle, said her husband lost his life in an Israeli attack on the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in Gaza.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.