Gaza’s Health Ministry reported Tuesday that over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 146,000 injured since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023. The ministry, run by the Hamas-led government, said women and children make up about half the dead. Though the breakdown between civilians and militants remains unclear, UN agencies consider the figures credible.
In the past 24 hours alone, at least 77 Palestinians were killed, including 58 who died around aid convoys in southern Gaza. Israeli airstrikes also hit tents sheltering displaced people in Nuseirat, killing 30, including 12 children and 14 women, according to local hospitals.
Israel said it is targeting Hamas military infrastructure and blames civilian casualties on the group's operations in populated areas. The military has not commented on the latest aid convoy deaths.
Gaza is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis, with 90% of its population displaced and warnings of famine growing. The World Health Organization reports over 60 deaths this month from hunger-related causes, including 24 young children. Since the war began, 88 children and 58 adults have died from malnutrition-related complications.
Israeli strikes kill 36 in Gaza amid rising hunger crisis
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected accusations of using starvation as a tactic, calling such claims “distorted pressure” that harm ceasefire efforts. Talks for a truce and hostage release have stalled, with both Israeli and U.S. negotiators recently pulling out.
Since March, when Israel imposed a full blockade and launched intensified operations to pressure Hamas, at least 8,867 additional Palestinians have died. Aid delivery remains severely restricted due to Israeli controls and ongoing instability, despite some easing of the blockade in May.