Palestinian Death Toll Has Surpassed 70,000 Since The Israel-Hamas War Began, Gaza Ministry Says

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 70,000. Israel-Hamas war Gaza’s Ministry of Health said on Saturday that the attacks had begun even as a hospital said Israeli fire had killed two Palestinian children in the south of the area.

The death toll continued to rise after the last ceasefire came into force on October 10. Israel is still launching attacks in response to what it calls ceasefire violations, and bodies are being pulled from rubble from earlier in the war.

The Ministry of Health says the number of Palestinians is now 70,100. The ministry operates under the Hamas-led government. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records that are generally considered reliable by the international community.

Nasser Hospital staff, who received the bodies of the children in southern Gaza, said the siblings, aged 8 and 11, died when an Israeli drone attacked near a school housing displaced people in the town of Beni Suhaila.

The Israeli army said it killed two men who crossed into Israeli-controlled territory, “engaged in suspicious activities” and approached troops. The statement did not mention children. The military said another person was killed in a separate but similar incident in the south.

At least 352 Palestinians have been killed across the region since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into force on October 10, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.

Israel says its attacks target militants who violate the ceasefire. Both Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the agreement. Hamas on Saturday again called on mediators to pressure Israel to stop ceasefire violations in Gaza.

A US plan outlining the future of Gaza, which has been devastated by more than two years of war. still in its infancy. The plan to secure and manage the region authorizes an international stabilization force to ensure security, approves a transitional authority to be overseen by U.S. President Donald Trump, and foresees a possible path in the future to an independent Palestinian state.

The war started with the attack on southern Israel led by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 people were taken hostage. Nearly all of the hostages or their remains were returned under ceasefires or other agreements.

Remains of two hostagesTwo people, one Israeli and one Thai citizen, are still expected to be extradited. Israelis regrouped for the return Saturday night in Tel Aviv.

Israeli forces have also made progress on a number of other fronts in the region in recent weeks.

Syrian officials said this Israeli forces raided a village in Syria When confronted by local residents on Friday, they opened fire, killing at least 13 people. Israel said it carried out the operation to capture suspects of a militant group planning an attack on Israel, and that the militants opened fire on soldiers, wounding six people.

Israel has also stepped up its attacks in Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah sites. militant group He is trying to rearm.

Hezbollah, Pope Benedict XIV. He called on Leo to “reject injustice and aggression”. Israel’s almost daily attacksDespite a ceasefire a year ago that ended a 14-month war between the two sides. The Pope is visiting the region on his first trip abroad.

Israeli soldiers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Palestinians accused of executing two men On Thursday, footage broadcast by two Arab television channels showed soldiers shooting men who appeared to be surrendering. The Israeli army said the investigation was ongoing.

Violence against Israeli settlers in the West Bank continues to increase. On Saturday, the Palestinian Red Crescent said that 10 Palestinians were injured by beatings and live bullets during attacks by settlers in the village of Hallet al-Louza near Bethlehem.

Magdy reported from Cairo.

Find more of AP’s Israel-Hamas coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war