The Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 74,000, with 74,016 killed and 175,068 wounded since October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Saturday
Despite a U.S.-brokered October 10 ceasefire, 1,145 Palestinians-about half women and children-and seven Israeli soldiers have died in ongoing strikes. The peace process remains stalled as Israel controls over half of Gaza, reconstruction hasn't begun, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refuses to withdraw until Hamas disarms
Meanwhile, Israel's leading Jewish opposition parties pledged Saturday to unite against Netanyahu in next month's elections-the first since October 7, viewed as a security failure referendum Key attendees included main challenger Gadi Eisenkot, former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, center-left leader Yair Golan, and hawkish chief Avigdor Lieberman. They vowed to boost turnout, combat fake news, and outline a new government.