Gaza Health Ministry Reports Palestinian Death Toll Surpasses 70,000 Amid Ongoing Conflict
The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 70,000 Palestinian deaths since the Israel-Hamas conflict began, with recent incidents raising concerns about ceasefire violations.
The Gaza Health Ministry announced on Saturday that the Palestinian death toll has exceeded 70,000 since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. This figure includes recent fatalities and bodies recovered from rubble.
Despite a ceasefire initiated on October 10, 2025, hostilities persist. On Saturday, two Palestinian children, aged 8 and 11, were reportedly killed by an Israeli drone strike near a school sheltering displaced individuals in Bani Suheila, southern Gaza. The Israeli military stated it targeted individuals who had entered an Israeli-controlled area and engaged in suspicious activities.
Since the ceasefire began, at least 352 Palestinians have been killed across Gaza, according to the Health Ministry. Israel asserts that its strikes are aimed at militants violating the truce, while both parties accuse each other of ceasefire breaches.
The conflict commenced on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages taken. Most hostages or their remains have been returned through ceasefires or other agreements.
In related developments, Israeli forces have conducted operations in Syria and Lebanon, targeting militant groups. In the occupied West Bank, Israeli soldiers were accused of executing two men after footage showed troops shooting them post-surrender; the Israeli military is investigating the incident. Additionally, settler violence has escalated, with recent attacks near Bethlehem injuring ten Palestinians.
Internationally, a U.S. proposal outlines a plan for Gaza's future governance, including an international stabilization force and a transitional authority overseen by the U.S. president, aiming toward a potential independent Palestinian state.
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