Gaza Death Toll Tops 73,000 as Israeli Strikes Continue Despite Fragile Ceasefire

The Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed a grim milestone, with Gaza health officials reporting on Sunday that at least 73,001 people have been killed since the conflict erupted in October 2023.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry , more than 173,200 Palestinians have also been wounded during the war. The updated figures were confirmed by Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the ministry’s records department, and Hamza Salem from its public relations department. The ministry says women and children account for roughly half of those killed, although it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty reports.

The announcement came as Israeli military strikes continued in parts of Gaza despite a fragile ceasefire reached in October. Health officials said five Palestinians were reported killed on Sunday, including two in Khan Younis, one in central Gaza and two others who later died from injuries sustained in earlier attacks. An Israeli strike late Saturday reportedly killed two Palestinians in Khan Younis, with the victims taken to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reports.

The war began after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign that devastated much of Gaza and displaced the vast majority of its more than two million residents.

Although a US-brokered ceasefire halted large-scale fighting and facilitated the return of hostages, key disagreements remain unresolved, including Hamas' future role in Gaza, the group's disarmament, Israeli troop withdrawals and plans for reconstruction. Both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the truce while maintaining that it remains in effect.

Aid agencies have warned that the humanitarian crisis remains severe, with widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure and shortages of essential services continuing to affect daily life across Gaza.