The Gaza Health Ministry reports more than 74,000 Palestinians killed and 175,068 wounded since the Oct. 7, 2023 outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire on Oct. 10 has curbed major combat, but Israeli strikes and unresolved terms—including disarmament, territorial control and reconstruction—persist. Israeli opposition parties have pledged to coordinate ahead of a crucial election widely viewed as a security referendum.
Gaza Death Toll Tops 74,000 as Fragile Ceasefire Holds; Israeli Opposition Unites Ahead Of Pivotal Election
Tents sheltering displaced Palestinians are seen amid war-damaged buildings in Gaza City, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
The Palestinian death toll in the nearly three-year Israel–Hamas war has surpassed 74,000, Gaza's Health Ministry reported Saturday, with injuries totaling 175,068. The ministry said 1,145 Palestinians have been killed since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, 2023.
Background: The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and seizing 251 hostages. While the ceasefire halted the heaviest fighting, Israeli forces say they have continued strikes in response to perceived threats or specific incidents.
Women walk along a street surrounded by tents sheltering displaced Palestinians, in Gaza City, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Casualty Reporting And Caveats: The figures come from Gaza's Health Ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led administration. Its records are widely used by U.N. agencies and international organizations, but the ministry does not distinguish in its totals between civilians and combatants; it reports that roughly half of those killed are women and children. Independent verification of field-level details remains challenging.
On The Ground: Many core elements of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire remain unresolved. Israeli forces currently control more than half of the Palestinian territory, Hamas has not been disarmed, a new Palestinian governing authority has not been installed, and large-scale reconstruction has not begun. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say forces will not fully withdraw until Hamas is disarmed.
Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by war-damaged buildings in Gaza City, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)(AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Israeli Politics: Domestic politics in Israel are heating up ahead of a national election seen broadly as a referendum on security. On Saturday, Israel's major Jewish opposition parties announced they will coordinate efforts to defeat Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition in next month's vote. Senior figures at the meeting included Gadi Eisenkot, former army chief and leading challenger; former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, who are running together; Yair Golan of the center-left; and Avigdor Lieberman of a hawkish opposition faction.
The group said it will work to increase voter turnout, "combat fake news and smear campaigns," and agree on core governing principles. Officials stress the vote's outcome will shape Israel's approach to security and the future of Gaza policy.
Casualty Snapshot: Gaza Health Ministry: 74,016 dead, 175,068 wounded. Since ceasefire (Oct. 10, 2023): 1,145 killed. Israeli side: roughly 1,200 killed in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and 7 Israeli soldiers reported killed since the ceasefire.
This report will be updated as further developments occur.
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