DaysofPal- The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 50,000 since Israel launched its offensive on the territory in October 2023, according to health officials.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported on Sunday that at least 50,021 Palestinians have been killed and 113,274 have been wounded as a result of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations following an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The toll is expected to rise as Israeli forces reportedly struck the surgical building at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis late on Sunday, causing a significant fire.
Israel’s military confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted a key Hamas member at the hospital, one of Gaza’s largest medical facilities.
Medical sources in Gaza have confirmed that at least 46 Palestinians were killed by Israeli attacks on Sunday, with the majority of casualties coming from southern Gaza, particularly in Khan Younis and Rafah.
Israel resumed its military operations after refusing to move forward with the second phase of a ceasefire agreement signed with Hamas in January. The deal had stipulated that Israel withdraw its forces from Gaza, but the country failed to comply.
Even during phase one of the ceasefire, which allowed for the exchange of captives, Israel killed more than 150 Palestinians in Gaza.
Hani Mahmoud, reporting from northern Gaza, described the 50,000 death toll as “a very grim, horrifying milestone.” He added that the number is likely an underestimate, as many victims remain unaccounted for or buried without registration.
“Of the more than 50,000 killed, 17,000 are children. A whole generation has been wiped out,” he said, emphasizing the long-term societal impact of the loss.
The official death toll does not include over 11,000 people who are missing and presumed dead. A study published in The Lancet last July suggested the true death toll could be much higher, possibly exceeding 186,000 due to the cumulative effects of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military called for the evacuation of residents in Rafah’s Tal as-Sultan neighborhood on Sunday, as operations began in the area. The military also announced actions in Beit Hanoun, located in northern Gaza.
These moves have led to accusations that Israel is targeting areas it previously deemed “safe zones,” forcing civilians to shelter in places that are later bombed.
The escalation of violence follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to break the ceasefire and pursue military action to pressure Hamas into accepting a deal for the release of captives not freed in the January exchange. While Hamas has stated it is willing to release all captives, it insists that Israel must first honor the second phase of the ceasefire deal.
Since Tuesday, Israel’s offensive has killed more than 600 people, including over 200 children. This comes as Gaza struggles under a total blockade imposed by Israel since early March, leading to critical shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned Israel’s actions, particularly the cutting off of electricity to a Gaza desalination plant, calling it “cruel and unlawful.”
International calls for humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza have intensified, with countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom urging Israel to lift the blockade and allow aid to reach those in need.
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