Gaza ministry says death toll tops 45,000 people
Gaza’s health ministry said Monday that Israel’s offensive against Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave has killed more than 45,000 people.
The conflict has also wounded nearly 107,000 people, the ministry said. It does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its count, but has previously said more than half of those killed have been women and children.
The Gaza health ministry said in its daily update that 52 people were killed during the past day.
Civil defense and hospital officials said deadly Israeli strikes Sunday included attacks on Gaza City in the north, Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Israel’s military said its operations Sunday including striking a Hamas command and control complex in Nuseirat.
Israel has repeatedly blamed Hamas militants for operating within areas occupied by Palestinian civilians, while Palestinians and rights groups say the Israeli military is not doing enough to prevent civilian deaths.
The war began in October 2023 with the Hamas attack on southern Israel, during which the militants killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. About 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with at least one-third believed to be dead.
Hamas has been designated as a terror group by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others.