Death Toll in Gaza Surpasses 55,000 Amid Ongoing Conflict

Gaza's Rising Casualties Amid Conflict

According to reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 55,000 individuals in Gaza have lost their lives due to Israeli military actions over the past 20 months. This information was shared on Wednesday, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The reported figures do not account for fatalities from Wednesday alone, during which 57 individuals were killed and more than 363 were injured while trying to access humanitarian assistance, as noted by a news outlet.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health, which operates under Hamas, is staffed by medical professionals who meticulously document casualties during the ongoing conflict. Despite Israel's skepticism regarding these figures, past data from the ministry has often aligned with assessments from independent analysts.

The military operations by Israel commenced in October 2023, following a deadly incursion by Hamas that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in southern Israel and the taking of hostages. Since then, Israel has intensified its air and ground assaults on Gaza.

Currently, Hamas retains approximately 53 of the nearly 200 hostages taken during the October 7 incident, with most others released during previous ceasefires.

Attempts to negotiate a ceasefire have faltered due to conflicting demands from both sides. Israel insists on the disarmament of Hamas and the release of all hostages, while Hamas calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and an end to hostilities.

Israel has imposed a blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, which United Nations officials warn has pushed the population to the brink of famine. Although there was a slight easing of the blockade on May 19, UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the aid received as merely a 'teaspoon' compared to the urgent needs of the population.

Recently, Israel redirected a Gaza-bound aid vessel named Madleen, which was carrying activists including Greta Thunberg.