The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has now surpassed 70,000, with the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reporting the figure at 70,100. This grim milestone comes amid escalating accusations of truce violations and continued violence in the region.
Since the latest ceasefire took effect on October 10, at least 352 Palestinians have been killed. Both Israel and Hamas accuse the other of violating the deal, with Hamas urging mediators to pressure Israel to cease its operations.
Civilian Incidents and Israeli Response
Staff at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza reported that two Palestinian children, ages 8 and 11, were killed by an Israeli drone strike near a shelter in Beni Suhaila. Conversely, the Israeli military stated it killed two individuals who crossed into an Israeli-controlled area, “conducted suspicious activities,” and approached troops, without mentioning children.
Diplomatic and Regional Developments
A US blueprint for the future of Gaza, which envisions an international stabilization force, a transitional authority overseen by US President Donald Trump, and a potential path to an independent Palestinian state, remains in its early stages.
The region saw continued violence beyond Gaza:
- Syria: Israeli forces raided a village, killing at least 13 people, according to Syrian officials. Israel claims the operation was to apprehend militants planning attacks.
- Lebanon: Israel has intensified strikes against alleged Hezbollah sites. Hezbollah has appealed to Pope Leo XIV, currently visiting the region, to denounce the aggression.
- West Bank: Palestinians accused Israeli soldiers of executing two men, prompting an Israeli military investigation. Additionally, 10 Palestinians were injured in settler attacks near Bethlehem.
The remains of two hostages from the initial October 7, 2023, attack—one Israeli and one Thai national—have yet to be returned, sparking ongoing rallies in Tel Aviv.