The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced the death toll from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 29,878 martyrs and 70,215 injured, since the 7th of October last year, according to a breaking news report by ‘Al-Qahira Al-Ekhbariya’ channel.
The Palestinian Health added: The occupation committed 11 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, resulting in 96 martyrs and 172 injured in the past 24 hours.
The recent humanitarian situation in Gaza following the war that began on October 7 has been dire. The conflict, which started with a surprise attack by Hamas, led to significant casualties and damage. Hamas militants killed around 1,200 Israelis, approximately 70% of whom were civilians, and took about 240 hostages. While more than 100 hostages were released under a cease-fire deal, around 136 remain captive, with an estimated 32 having died. The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza but did not demand a cease-fire.
Even before the current hostilities, Gaza was facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to a 16-year blockade by Israel, making over half of Gazans dependent on international aid and 80% considered refugees under international law. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 120 journalists and media workers, as well as more than 150 UN employees, marking the highest number of aid workers killed in any conflict in UN history.
Israel’s siege has resulted in significant shortages, with electricity and water cut off, and supplies of food and medicine scarce. A report warned that over 90% of Gaza’s population faces crisis levels of food insecurity. The lack of fuel has led to the shutdown of Gaza’s only power station, and the absence of electricity has halted operations of desalination and waste-water treatment plants, worsening the water crisis.
The aerial bombardments by Israel have demolished significant portions of Gaza’s infrastructure, including neighborhoods, schools, and mosques. Satellite imagery analysis by the United Nations shows that approximately 30% of Gaza’s structures have been destroyed or damaged, with other analyses suggesting even higher figures. The Israeli military contends that Hamas has positioned military assets beneath civilian infrastructure, leading to these areas being targeted. Gaza’s health system, already on the brink of collapse in November 2023, remains in a critical state, with hospitals overwhelmed and lacking essential supplies.
