The death toll in Gaza from the conflict between Israel and Hamas has exceeded 25,000 over a period of three months, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. In the past 24 hours alone, at least 178 bodies were brought to Gaza’s hospitals, along with nearly 300 wounded individuals. The main victims in the Israel-Hamas war are reported to be women and children, as stated by the United Nations.
The conflict began on October 7 with a surprise attack by Hamas into Israel, resulting in around 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians, and approximately 250 hostages, including men, women, and children.
In response, Israel conducted a three-week air campaign followed by a ground invasion into northern Gaza, causing significant destruction to entire neighborhoods. The current ground operations are concentrated in the southern city of Khan Younis and refugee camps in central Gaza established during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation.
A large portion of Gaza’s population, around 85%, has fled their homes, seeking refuge in U.N.-run shelters and tent camps in the southern part of the coastal enclave. The United Nations reports that a quarter of the population, amounting to 2.3 million people, is facing starvation due to limited humanitarian aid entering the region amidst ongoing fighting and Israeli restrictions.
As per Gaza’s Health Ministry, the total number of Palestinians killed since October 7 is 25,105, with an additional 62,681 wounded. Many casualties remain under rubble from Israeli strikes or in areas inaccessible to medics.
The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its death toll but notes that around two-thirds of those killed were women and minors. The Israeli military claims to have killed approximately 9,000 militants and attributes the high civilian death toll to Hamas operating in densely populated residential areas.
Since the start of the Gaza offensive, the Israeli military reports 195 of its soldiers killed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to continue the offensive until Hamas is dismantled, and all hostages are returned. During a weeklong cease-fire in November, nearly half of the captives were released in exchange for scores of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israel asserts that around 130 hostages remain, but only about 100 are believed to be still alive.
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