T he Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel commenced its military campaign against Hamas. This grim milestone was reached following the death of 40 individuals in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of fatalities since October 7 to 40,005. Over 92,401 people have been injured in the conflict.
The ministry's figures, which do not differentiate between combatants and civilians, indicate that the majority of the deceased are likely civilians, including a significant number of women and children. Israel, meanwhile, reported last month that it had killed more than 14,000 combatants in Gaza since the conflict began. The accuracy of these figures cannot be independently verified.
The high death toll underscores the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, characterized by daily suffering, malnutrition, and instability. This milestone comes at a particularly volatile moment as a new round of ceasefire negotiations is set to begin today. Recent events, including the targeted killings of senior Hamas figures and leaders of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, have complicated the negotiation process.
The conflict saw a particularly deadly weekend, with at least 93 people killed in an Israeli strike on a school and mosque in eastern Gaza City where displaced individuals were taking refuge. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the attack, stating that "at least 19 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists were eliminated" in the strike. This action has faced widespread condemnation, including from some of Israel's closest allies.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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