The Gaza Strip has witnessed a devastating toll in the ongoing 14-month war between Israel and Hamas militants, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 45,000 deaths. In the past 24 hours alone, 52 individuals have been confirmed dead, adding to the grim statistics.
The Gaza Health Ministry's data does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, but it has noted that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. On the other hand, the Israeli military claims to have killed over 17,000 militants, although no evidence has been provided to support this claim.
According to the Health Ministry, the total number of casualties stands at 45,028 deaths and 106,962 injuries since the conflict began. The actual figures are believed to be higher due to bodies still trapped under rubble or in inaccessible areas. This war has proven to be the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hamas, resulting in approximately 2% of Gaza's prewar population of 2.3 million losing their lives.
Recent casualties include a family of four among the 10 individuals killed in an Israeli strike on a house in Gaza City's Shijaiyah neighborhood. The strike, which occurred late Sunday, claimed the lives of two parents and their two children, as confirmed by Palestinian medics.
Israel attributes the civilian death toll to Hamas' presence in densely populated civilian areas within Gaza. Conversely, rights groups and Palestinians argue that Israel has not taken adequate precautions to prevent civilian casualties.
The conflict began when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel in October 2023, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians. Israel responded with intense bombardment and a ground incursion into Gaza, leading to the current dire situation.
Another tragic incident involved a strike on a school in Khan Younis, claiming the lives of at least 13 people, including six children and two women. The Israeli military stated that the strike targeted Hamas terrorists within a school compound, although evidence was not provided.
Amidst the chaos, mourners gathered for the funeral of a Palestinian journalist from Al Jazeera TV network, who was killed in a strike on Gaza's civil defense agency. The journalist, along with three civil defense workers, lost their lives in the attack.
The International Federation of Journalists reported a significant number of media casualties during the conflict, with over 100 journalists and media workers losing their lives in 2024, more than half of them in the Israel-Hamas war.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the toll on civilians and media personnel in Gaza remains a grave concern, with both sides facing accusations and denials regarding the tragic events unfolding in the region.
For more updates on the Israel-Hamas war, visit AP's war coverage.
