Gaza’s civil defence has said in a video statement to Al Jazeera that its forces completed more than 22,000 rescue missions “in tragic conditions” as its personnel, vehicles, headquarters and field points were subjected to systematic Israeli bombardment.

Mohammed al-Mughayir, director of supply and financial affairs at the civil defence, said that all civil defence headquarters were out of service as a result of shelling and bulldozing by Israeli vehicles.

He also said that 14 of the civil defence vehicles were destroyed, and crews in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza were targeted twice, which led to the death of 12 members.

Al-Mughayyir pointed out that the rescue team death toll stood at 45, with more than 200 other crew members injured. He confirmed that the Israeli army arrested a number of civil defence personnel while they were on duty.