Gaza war death toll surpasses 74,000 since October 2023

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Sunday that the death toll since the start of the Israeli war on the enclave on October 7, 2023, has risen to 74,018 Palestinians, with 175,079 people injured, as Israeli airstrikes continue despite the ceasefire agreement signed last October.

In its daily statistical report, the ministry stated that hospitals in the Strip received two fatalities and 11 injured people in the past 24 hours. The ministry added that since the ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2023, the death toll has reached 1,417 Palestinians, with 4,964 injured, and the bodies of 834 victims have been recovered.

Airstrikes continue, rescue efforts hampered

The Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing medical sources, reported that a number of victims remain under the rubble and in the streets, as ambulance and rescue teams are unable to reach them. Hospital officials in Gaza said Israeli strikes in the central and southern parts of the Strip killed two Palestinians and wounded others.

WAFA also reported that an Israeli drone targeted a civilian vehicle in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, killing one Palestinian and injuring others. Israeli airstrikes killed five Palestinians, including at least two children, in the north and south of the Strip, according to Palestinian media outlets.

Health system deteriorates amid supply shortages

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said Thursday that Gaza's health system remains under severe strain, with only 19 out of 36 hospitals partially operational and none functioning at full capacity.

The organization added that around 1.7 million people remain displaced, with ongoing shortages of medicines, equipment, and fuel hindering healthcare delivery. Since 2023, the WHO has recorded at least 920 attacks on health facilities and workers in the Strip.