The Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 30,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict nearly five months ago. The conflict began with Israel’s comprehensive air, sea, and ground offensive in response to Hamas’ attack on October 7, primarily targeting Gaza City and northern Gaza. Consequently, the region has suffered extensive devastation, leaving it largely isolated and impeding the flow of humanitarian aid. Aid organizations highlight the near impossibility of delivering assistance due to the overwhelming number of desperate individuals clamoring for help, exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation. The United Nations warns that a quarter of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants face the threat of starvation.
Hospital officials confirmed that a recent strike on a crowd awaiting aid in Gaza City resulted in numerous casualties, with around 50 individuals killed and 250 wounded. Hospitals, such as Shifa Hospital and Kamal Adwan Hospital, have been inundated with casualties, underscoring the overwhelming strain on Gaza’s healthcare system. The scarcity of ambulances has forced some wounded individuals to be transported to hospitals on donkey carts.
Dr. Mohammad Salha from Al-Awda Hospital expressed concern about the rising casualties, noting that their facilities are operating under severe limitations, with electricity outages and dwindling resources posing significant challenges. Despite the devastating toll, the Israeli military has stated that it is investigating the reports of casualties.
The Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run government, has not provided an official toll for the recent strike. However, it has documented the overall toll of the conflict, reporting 30,035 Palestinian deaths and 70,457 injuries. While the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures, it emphasizes that women and children make up a significant portion of those killed and wounded.
The conflict was initiated by Hamas’ incursion into southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 hostages. Despite the release of most hostages during a weeklong ceasefire in November, approximately 130 individuals remain in captivity. The conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on civilians and infrastructure in Gaza, perpetuating the cycle of violence and suffering in the region.
