The Gaza Ministry of Health announced that 61 Palestinians were killed and 220 were injured within 24 hours due to Israeli airstrikes, most of them women and children.

The ministry said Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital and the Eye Hospital went out of service after direct attacks on their surroundings, while a medical relief center in Gaza was destroyed.

The escalation comes as several Western countries move toward recognizing the State of Palestine amid Israeli and U.S. opposition.