Gaza's health ministry says the death toll from the more-than-two-year conflict has reached 70,100, following the processing of 299 previously uncounted bodies. Since the US-brokered ceasefire began on October 10, the ministry reports 354 additional Palestinian deaths. Hamas has released all living hostages and returned most remains, while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners; both sides allege ceasefire violations. The territory continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis.
Gaza death toll surpasses 70,100 as fragile ceasefire holds
Gaza's health ministry, administered by Hamas, reported on Saturday that the death toll from the conflict with Israel has risen to 70,100, marking a grim new milestone after more than two years of fighting.
The ministry said the increase reflects recently processed data on 299 bodies. It also reported that since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10, a further 354 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire. Over the past 48 hours, two bodies were brought to hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including one recovered from beneath rubble.
Context and recent exchanges
The Gaza war began after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which left 1,221 people dead and saw militants abduct 251 people into Gaza. When the latest ceasefire began, militants were holding 20 living hostages and the remains of 28 others. Hamas has since released all living captives and returned the remains of 26 deceased hostages.
In return, Israel has freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from its custody and repatriated the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians who had died. Both sides, however, continue to accuse each other of breaching the ceasefire terms.
Humanitarian situation
Despite the reduction in large-scale hostilities under the truce, Gaza remains engulfed in a deep and ongoing humanitarian crisis, with widespread destruction, shortages of food, water, medical supplies and shelter, and significant needs for urgent international assistance.
Note: The figures reported here are from Gaza's health ministry. Reporting organizations and officials may provide differing counts; all numbers remain difficult to independently verify amid constrained access.
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