Gaza casualties continue amid renewed fighting

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Sunday that 54,880 Palestinians have died since the conflict began in October 2023, with casualties continuing to mount during recent military operations.

According to ministry figures, 108 fatalities were recorded at hospitals over the previous 24-hour period, whilst 393 individuals sustained injuries. The total number of reported injuries since the conflict’s onset has reached 126,227.

The ministry statement noted that rescue operations remain limited, with many casualties reportedly inaccessible to emergency responders due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing hostilities.

Military operations in the Gaza Strip resumed on 18 March following the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange arrangement that had been implemented in January. The Health Ministry attributes 4,603 deaths and 14,186 injuries to military actions since that date.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to operations in Gaza.

Israel currently faces proceedings at the International Court of Justice, where South Africa and other nations have brought a case alleging genocide in connection with military operations in the Palestinian territory.

The conflict began following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the taking of around 240 hostages.

Israel’s subsequent military response has focused on what it describes as dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities and securing the release of remaining hostages.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​