The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 50,000 Palestinian deaths since the start of Israel’s war with Hamas on October 7, 2023, according to the territory’s health ministry. This tragic milestone includes 41 new fatalities reported within just 24 hours, bringing the total to 50,021. The health ministry and United Nations assert that a majority of those killed are women and children, with the potential for the actual death toll to be significantly higher as thousands may remain trapped beneath debris.
As the conflict escalated, Israel resumed its ground operations in Gaza, warning of harsher days ahead. This intensification followed Hamas’s initial surprise attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and led to numerous hostages being taken.
Despite prior ceasefire agreements, tensions have mounted, with Hamas recently launching rockets at Israel, claiming that its commitment to a truce had been breached. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has made ominous threats to Gaza’s residents, stating that they would “pay the full price” unless hostages were returned and Hamas’s governance ended. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, indicating that the recent military operations were only the onset of more severe actions to follow.
The situation in Gaza is dire. Over two million residents find themselves displaced, with extensive damage inflicted upon the healthcare infrastructure, rendering hospitals battlegrounds. A humanitarian crisis looms, exacerbated by Israel’s blockade of aid and the difficulties in delivering necessary supplies amidst renewed fighting.
Negotiations to extend previously agreed ceasefires have been stagnant from the outset. Hamas wanted a return to the original terms, which called for Israeli withdrawal in exchange for the release of all hostages. However, Israel has cited Hamas’s alleged rejection of mediation proposals as justification for their renewed military action.
While Israel acknowledges that civilian casualties are high, it contests the health ministry’s figures, arguing that they may be exaggerated and that Hamas uses civilians as human shields. Nevertheless, the United Nations and the US State Department support the authenticity of these casualty figures, with academic studies suggesting the actual toll may be much greater.
The international community remains unable to independently verify the casualty numbers, especially as Israel imposes restrictions preventing foreign journalists from accessing Gaza for firsthand reporting. As calls for an end to the violence grow louder, the future remains uncertain for those caught in the conflict.