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Escalating Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to a staggering death toll, with over 60,000 Palestinians reported dead. This figure comes from the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run administration. The ministry released its latest data on Tuesday, stating that 60,034 people have been killed and another 145,870 injured since the war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.
While the ministry did not specify how many of the deceased were civilians versus combatants, it has previously indicated that women and children make up about half of the fatalities. The health ministry is staffed by medical professionals, and its casualty data is widely regarded as credible by the United Nations and other international observers.
Worsening Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
Israel’s military campaign has caused widespread devastation across Gaza, displacing nearly 90% of the population. Humanitarian organizations warn that the territory is heading toward a worst-case famine scenario. In the last 24 hours alone, at least 77 Palestinians were killed, many while trying to access humanitarian aid, according to local hospitals.
Among the dead were 33 individuals shot near an aid convoy in southern Gaza on Monday, increasing the death toll from that incident to 58. Israeli authorities have not yet commented on the shootings. The Israeli military claims it targets only Hamas militants and attributes civilian casualties to the group’s presence in populated areas. Recent strikes, according to the army, focused on rocket launchers, weapons depots, and underground tunnels.
Another 14 people were killed near a humanitarian aid distribution point supported by the U.S. and Israel, as reported by local sources. Both the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) and the Israeli military declined to comment. The IDF has previously stated it only fires warning shots when threatened, while GHF insists its contractors do not engage civilians.
Separately, an Israeli airstrike on displacement tents in Nuseirat resulted in the deaths of 30 people, including 12 children and 14 women, according to Al-Awda hospital.
Israeli Official Denies “Starvation Policy” Allegations
In response to growing international criticism, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected accusations that Israel is using starvation as a war tactic. He called such claims “distorted” and part of a pressure campaign that undermines ceasefire efforts. “This narrative is only hardening Hamas’s position and making peace talks more difficult,” Saar said.
Peace negotiations have stalled recently, with both the U.S. and Israel withdrawing their delegations. During the October 7 assault, Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostages. Approximately 50 remain in captivity, with about 20 believed to be alive.
The conflict escalated further in early March when Israel sealed off Gaza for over two months, cutting off all aid and launching new military offensives to pressure Hamas. Since then, at least 8,867 Palestinians have died. Although Israel eased the blockade in May, UN agencies report significant obstacles to delivering aid due to ongoing restrictions and lawlessness on the ground. An alternative aid route backed by Israel and operated by a U.S. contractor has also faced violence and logistical challenges.
Health System Collapsing and Hunger Crisis Deepens
Gaza’s already fragile health system has been pushed to the brink, with numerous hospitals either shut down or barely functional. Constant airstrikes have targeted schools, hospitals, shelters, and residential areas, often resulting in mass casualties. While Israel claims militants often hide among civilians, it has occasionally acknowledged operational errors.
The hunger crisis is worsening. According to the World Health Organization, more than 60 people died from malnutrition-related causes this month alone, including 24 children under the age of five. Overall, 88 children and 58 adults have died due to malnutrition since the war began.
Experts warn that many of these deaths result not only from starvation but also from weakened immune systems unable to withstand illness or injury. The Gaza Health Ministry notes that hunger-related fatalities are not included in the official death toll.
