More Than 50,000 Killed in Gaza, Hamas-Run Health Ministry Says
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to devastating consequences, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that more than 50,000 people have lost their lives since Israel’s military campaign began. According to the health ministry, the death toll has reached 50,021, representing around 2.1% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people.
Along with the tragic loss of life, the health ministry also reported that more than 113,000 individuals have been injured during the same period. These figures, though tragic, reflect the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Gaza Ministry of Health’s numbers are widely accepted by international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), despite Israel’s continuous disagreement with these statistics. Independent international journalists have faced severe restrictions, with Israel blocking access to Gaza, preventing an independent verification of the numbers.
It’s important to note that the figures provided by the health ministry do not differentiate between civilians and fighters, making it challenging to fully understand the impact on non-combatants. However, in November, the UN’s Human Rights Office analyzed the situation and found that about 70% of the verified victims over a six-month period were women and children.
In addition to the official figures, a study published in The Lancet in January suggested that the actual death toll could be much higher, possibly by as much as 41% more than the reported numbers. This raises concerns about the full scale of the destruction and the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a large-scale military operation in Gaza, leading to widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure and causing numerous deaths and injuries.
As the situation continues to evolve, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that at least 39 more individuals died in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths since Israel resumed military operations to 673.
This ongoing conflict continues to have a devastating impact on the people of Gaza, with countless lives lost and entire communities destroyed. The world watches as efforts for peace and resolution seem to remain out of reach, leaving the people of Gaza and Israel caught in the middle of a tragic war.
