The Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported that the death toll from Israeli military operations during the year-long conflict in Gaza has exceeded 43,000, with more than half of the victims being women and children.
The death toll revealed on Monday includes 96 people who died from injuries over the past two days.
Israeli forces have stepped up operations in northern Gaza in recent weeks, including an attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahya over the weekend.
The Israeli military claimed to have captured 100 suspected Hamas militants during the operation, which drew widespread criticism after Israeli military personnel were accused of targeting civilians.
Palestinians gather at a morgue with the bodies of relatives killed in an Israeli airstrike in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 25, 2024. The number of Palestinians killed each year is… On October 25, 2024, the bodies of relatives killed in an Israeli airstrike in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in the year-long war in Gaza, more than half of them women and children. This was announced by the Ministry of Health. more APs
Israel: Hamas uses hospital as military base
The World Health Organization has accused Israel of detaining 44 male hospital staff during the raid, but Palestinian medical personnel said the hospital, which was treating about 200 patients at the time, suffered extensive damage. Many reported serious illnesses or injuries.
Israel has carried out multiple attacks on hospitals during the conflict, claiming that Hamas and other extremist groups are using these facilities for military operations.
However, the Palestinian Authority strongly denies these claims and accuses Israeli forces of recklessly endangering civilian lives.
An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that heavy fighting had broken out around the hospital, but denied that any action took place inside the facility.
Israeli sources said weapons were found inside, some militants reportedly disguised as medical workers, and medical staff were detained and searched.
Palestinians gather near a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 25, 2024. Israel has attacked several hospitals in Gaza over the course of the year-long war. Palestinians gather near a destroyed building during an Israeli airstrike in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, October 25, 2024. Israel has attacked several hospitals in Gaza during the year-long war, accusing Hamas and other extremists of using the hospitals for military purposes. more APs
humanitarian crisis
The Israeli military also claimed to have assisted international organizations in transferring 88 patients and medical personnel to other hospitals before the attack.
The Israeli military claimed that its members delivered 30,000 liters of fuel and medical supplies to keep the hospital functioning during the operation.
As Israeli forces continue their major offensive in northern Gaza, the military has insisted that operations in the northern city of Jabaliya will continue for “a few more weeks” and called on civilians to evacuate the area.
The United Nations says around 400,000 people remain in northern Gaza, with humanitarian aid significantly reduced and the dire situation worsening.
Gaza: Women and children killed
A Gaza Health Ministry report showed that at least 43,020 people have been killed and more than 100,000 injured since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. The report made no distinction between militants and civilians.
The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, when Hamas militants backed by Iran broke through Israel’s security fence and launched an attack, killing about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducting 250 others. It started after.
Since then, Hezbollah, also supported by Iran, has launched rockets into Israel from Lebanon in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Last month, Israel detonated an explosive device planted on a Hezbollah member’s pager device, killing more than 30 people and injuring thousands.
Israel has carried out ground and air operations in Lebanon over the past month, killing several senior Hamas, Hezbollah and Iranian commanders while continuing its assault on Gaza.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi proposed a ceasefire on Sunday, but Israel and Hamas have so far made no comment.
This article includes additional reporting from The Associated Press
