DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Health Ministry in Gaza reported on Thursday that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has resulted in the tragic loss of over 46,000 Palestinian lives, with more than 109,000 individuals sustaining injuries. Among the casualties, the ministry noted that a significant number are women and children, surpassing half of the total fatalities. However, specifics regarding the breakdown of deceased individuals into combatants and civilians were not provided.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has claimed to have eliminated over 17,000 militants, though concrete evidence supporting this assertion has not been disclosed. The Israeli forces maintain that their operations are conducted with the aim of minimizing harm to civilians and attribute civilian casualties to Hamas militants embedding themselves within residential areas. Israel has also targeted locations it believes to harbor militants, such as shelters and hospitals, resulting in the tragic deaths of women and children.
The conflict was sparked when Hamas-led militants initiated an incursion into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 others. Regrettably, around 100 hostages are still being held within Gaza, with Israeli authorities fearing that a significant portion of them may have perished either during the initial assault or during their captivity.
The enduring conflict has left vast swathes of Gaza in ruins, displacing a staggering 90% of its population of 2.3 million people, many of whom have been displaced multiple times. Tens of thousands now find themselves crammed into makeshift tent camps along the coastline, grappling with scarce resources and essential supplies.
Recent diplomatic efforts have hinted at a potential resolution between Israel and Hamas, centering on a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages. However, negotiations facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have faced repeated setbacks over the past year, with significant hurdles continuing to impede progress towards a lasting peace.
For the latest updates on the Israel-Hamas conflict, please visit the Associated Press war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
