DaysofPal- The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Tuesday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli military assault and siege on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 68,872 since the start of the Israeli “genocidal war” in October 2023.
At least 170,677 others have been injured, with thousands still missing beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings.
In its latest update, the ministry reported that four bodies, including one recovered from under the rubble and three recently killed, were brought to hospitals across Gaza in the past 24 hours.
The ministry warned that the figure is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to recover victims from areas that remain inaccessible due to widespread destruction and a lack of heavy machinery.
Despite the ceasefire agreement implemented on October 11, Israeli forces have continued to carry out deadly attacks and operations across several areas of the Gaza Strip.
According to the Health Ministry, at least 240 Palestinians have been killed and 607 wounded since the truce began, underscoring what officials describe as a “systematic policy of violations” by the Israeli occupation.
Medical officials said the health system in Gaza remains on the brink of collapse, with hospitals operating far beyond capacity and many lacking basic medical supplies, anesthesia, and fuel to power generators.
Dozens of medical centers have been destroyed or rendered inoperative due to the extensive bombardment over the past two years.
Humanitarian agencies have also warned that tens of thousands of displaced families are living in dire conditions, many in makeshift tents with no access to clean water, sanitation, or adequate shelter as winter approaches.
The United Nations and international relief organizations have repeatedly called for the full reopening of border crossings to allow the entry of food, medicine, and fuel, demands that the Israeli occupation continues to resist.
The ministry’s statement described the scale of death and destruction in Gaza as “unprecedented,” adding that entire neighborhoods have been wiped out, thousands of children and women remain unaccounted for, and many victims have yet to be identified due to severe burns or body disfigurement caused by the bombings.
Meanwhile, rights groups have renewed calls for an independent international investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli forces during the Israeli genocidal war on Gaza.
As the ceasefire continues to fray, Palestinian officials warn that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza could worsen unless the international community intervenes to enforce accountability and ensure the protection of civilians.
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