In the Gaza Strip, hospitals received the remains of 51 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes within 24 hours, raising the death toll from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict to 52,243. Following the end of a ceasefire on March 18, Israel intensified its bombardments, targeting areas such as Rafah and increasing control over approximately 50% of the territory. For nearly 60 days, Israel has also imposed a blockade that restricts imports, including food and medicine, raising concerns from aid groups about impending shortages and malnutrition among children.
The recent death toll reflects bodies retrieved from debris following earlier strikes, with the Ministry of Health confirming nearly 700 recently documented casualties. In the past hours alone, 12 additional people were reported killed, including civilians struck in Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. The renewed offensive and blockade are described by Israeli authorities as efforts to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during the October 7 attack that initiated the conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to maintain military operations until Hamas is dismantled, or hostages are returned. Conversely, Hamas has stated it will only agree to release the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire, demanding a withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The conflict has led to massive devastation in Gaza, displacing about 90% of its population, with many now living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, women and children constitute the majority of Palestinian casualties, though the exact numbers distinguishing civilians from militants remain unclear. The ongoing violence has resulted in approximately 117,600 injuries, while Israeli claims assert the deaths of around 20,000 militants, notably in densely populated areas.
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