The death toll in Gaza from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 73,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, underscoring the devastating human cost of a conflict that has continued despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in October.
Officials from the ministry confirmed on Sunday that the total number of Palestinians killed since the start of the war now stands at 73,001. The figures were verified by Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the ministry’s records department, and Hamza Salem from the ministry’s public relations office.
The ministry reported five additional deaths on Sunday, including two people killed in the southern city of Khan Younis and one person in central Gaza. Two other individuals succumbed to injuries sustained in earlier attacks. The latest fatalities came as sporadic violence and military strikes continue across the territory despite the ceasefire remaining formally in place.
According to the ministry, more than 173,200 Palestinians have been wounded since the conflict began. The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which Israeli authorities say killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages.
In one of the latest incidents, an Israeli airstrike on Saturday evening reportedly killed two Palestinians in Khan Younis. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the victims were transported to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reported strike.
The Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-run administration, compiles casualty data through hospitals and medical facilities across the territory. Its figures are generally regarded as credible by United Nations agencies and many independent humanitarian organizations, although the ministry does not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths in its public reports. It has stated that women and children account for roughly half of the fatalities recorded since the war began.
Israel has repeatedly said its military operations are directed against Hamas and other armed groups, and that extensive measures are taken to reduce civilian casualties. Israeli officials argue that Hamas bears responsibility for civilian deaths because its fighters operate from densely populated urban areas, often near homes, schools and other civilian infrastructure. Israel also maintains that recent strikes have targeted militants deemed to pose an immediate threat or were carried out in response to alleged ceasefire violations.
The US-mediated ceasefire agreement reached in October brought an end to large-scale military operations and facilitated the return of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. However, several key provisions of the deal have yet to be fully implemented. Negotiations have stalled over issues including the future governance of Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the deployment of Israeli forces.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms. Israeli forces have continued limited military operations in certain areas, while Hamas has rejected demands to surrender its weapons. Despite these disputes, both sides have stated that the agreement technically remains in effect.
The ceasefire has reduced the intensity of the conflict but has not completely halted violence. According to Israeli authorities, five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the truce came into force, highlighting the continued fragility of the situation and the challenges facing efforts to secure a lasting peace in the region.
