The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has now exceeded 45,000, according to Palestinian health officials. This marks the deadliest phase of the conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 45,000 individuals have been killed, with over 106,000 injured. However, the true death toll is believed to be higher due to bodies still buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to medics. More than half of the fatalities are women and children. In contrast, the Israeli military claims it has killed over 17,000 Hamas militants, though it has not provided evidence to substantiate these claims.
Recent strikes have added to the casualties, including a deadly attack in Gaza City that killed a family of four and a bombing at a school in Khan Younis, which claimed at least 13 lives. These incidents have raised concerns about civilian safety, with rights groups accusing Israel of failing to take adequate precautions to prevent civilian deaths.
The war has also taken a toll on media professionals. Palestinian journalist Ahmad Baker Al-Louh and three civil defense workers were killed in a strike on Gaza’s civil defense agency. The Israeli military claimed it targeted militants operating in a command center embedded within the civil defense offices, but this claim has been disputed by local sources.
As the war rages on, the toll on Gaza’s civilian population grows, and the humanitarian situation continues to worsen.
