World Bulletin/News Desk

At least 91 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the launch of a deadly Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, Hamas's armed wing has claimed.

In a Monday statement, the Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades said that its fighters had killed 91 Israeli officers and soldiers in battles in the Gaza Strip.

According to the statement, hundreds of Israeli soldiers have also been injured in the Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian rocket struck the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Monday, Israeli army said.

"Hamas fired a rocket that hit Ashkelon this morning," the army wrote on its Twitter account.

"Our forces responded by shooting toward the source of rocket fire in Beit Lahia," it added.

No injuries were reported.

Israeli authorities say that 43 soldiers and three civilians have been killed since July 7 when Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of halting rocket fire.

At least 1035 Palestinians have been killed and more than 6000 others injured in relentless Israeli attacks since the onslaught began almost three weeks ago.

The Israeli offensive – codenamed "Protective Edge" - is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely populated Gaza Strip - home to 1.8 million Palestinians - within the last six years.