Palestinian death toll in Gaza tops 73,000: officials

Despite a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in October, Palestinian deaths in the Israel-Hamas war have surpassed 73,000.

It has been confirmed from the Gaza Ministry of Health that the total death toll since the beginning of the war has reached 73,001.

The ministry said five people died on Sunday: two in the southern city of Khan Younis and one in central Gaza, including two who died from earlier wounds.

More than 173,200 people have been injured since the beginning of the war, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Approximately 1200 people died in this attack and 251 people were taken hostage.

Two Palestinians were killed in Khan Younis in an Israeli attack on Saturday evening.

According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, the injured were taken to Nasser hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The health ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, is staffed by medical experts and keeps detailed records that are generally considered reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. It was not stated how many of the dead were civilians or militants.

It is stated that approximately half of all deaths are women and children.

Israel says it is trying to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for the deaths because the militants operate in densely populated areas.

It says it carries out attacks against militants who pose a threat and in response to ceasefire violations, including occasional attacks.

A US-brokered ceasefire agreement in October ended full-scale military operations and led to the return of all remaining hostages.

But other elements of the deal have stalled because Hamas has refused to disarm and Israeli troops have advanced rather than retreated since the deal was reached.

Both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement but say the agreement is still in effect.

Five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire.