The Palestinian death toll in the nearly two-year war in Gaza has risen to more than 64,000, Gaza’s Health Ministry said Thursday, as Israeli forces intensified their offensive and both sides held firm on demands to end the conflict.
Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported receiving 25 bodies overnight, including nine children and six women, after Israeli airstrikes hit tents sheltering displaced families. Among the dead was a 10-day-old baby. Another three people were killed in Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital.
Witnesses described scenes of devastation as families were torn apart in their sleep. “What did those children do to the state of Israel? They didn’t carry a knife or artillery. They were just sleeping,” said Hayam Basous, who lost a relative in the strikes.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said 64,231 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted. Israel has disputed the Palestinian figures but has not provided an alternative count.
Israeli forces continue to advance into Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands remain displaced amid severe shortages of food and shelter.
Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported receiving 25 bodies overnight, including nine children and six women, after Israeli airstrikes hit tents sheltering displaced families. Among the dead was a 10-day-old baby. Another three people were killed in Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital.
Witnesses described scenes of devastation as families were torn apart in their sleep. “What did those children do to the state of Israel? They didn’t carry a knife or artillery. They were just sleeping,” said Hayam Basous, who lost a relative in the strikes.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said 64,231 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted. Israel has disputed the Palestinian figures but has not provided an alternative count.
Israeli forces continue to advance into Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands remain displaced amid severe shortages of food and shelter.
