Death toll in Gaza rises to 57,523 amid ongoing Israeli strikes

The death toll from Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip has surged to at least 57,523, with over 523 new injuries reported amid continued airstrikes and ground offensives. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 105 Palestinians were killed and 356 injured in a single day during the latest wave of attacks.

Among the casualties are civilians, including many women and children, as well as starving individuals attempting to bring food and aid to relief centers operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by Israel and the United States.

Health officials warn the actual number of casualties is likely higher, as many remain trapped under rubble, and rescue teams face significant challenges accessing heavily bombarded areas. Human rights organizations echo these concerns, noting that many locations targeted by Israeli forces remain inaccessible to aid workers.

Since the conflict began nearly 21 months ago, the total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza due to Israeli attacks has reached 57,523, with more than 136,000 injured. Approximately 56% of the victims are women and children, and over 15,000 children have been reported killed by Israeli forces.

Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera reported that by Tuesday morning, 39 people had been killed in Gaza City alone due to relentless airstrikes. Among the victims were 25 people killed in two homes sheltering displaced families in the Sheikh Radwan and Al-Nasr neighborhoods.

Eyewitnesses described the strikes occurring late at night while families were asleep, with most casualties being women and children trapped under the debris.

Al-Awda Hospital confirmed that Israeli forces opened fire on civilians near a relief distribution center in central Gaza, killing four and injuring 25 others. Additional airstrikes on civilian gatherings in Gaza City and the Nuseirat refugee camp killed six and injured several others.

Further drone strikes in northern Gaza City killed three brothers traveling in a civilian vehicle, while another strike in Sheikh Radwan’s shelter killed three people and injured others.

Survivors described the scenes as "apocalyptic," with ongoing efforts to recover bodies and rescue those trapped under rubble.

An Israeli airstrike on a school in the Shati refugee camp killed seven people, including children. Another strike hit a residential home in the Al-Tufah neighborhood, killing at least two and injuring several, though medical teams could not access the site due to security concerns.

In southern Gaza’s Khan Yunis, an Israeli airstrike targeted a temporary tent sheltering displaced civilians, killing at least 10 people, including children and a pregnant woman.

Throughout the night, Israeli forces continued bombing residential and civilian areas across Gaza, with residents reporting near-continuous explosions.

In the past 24 hours, the Israeli military said it conducted airstrikes on at least 130 sites, including displacement camps, mostly along Gaza’s coastline.

Since Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which left at least 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage, Israeli forces have maintained a military campaign in Gaza. After a brief ceasefire declared on January 19, operations resumed on March 18.

The second phase of this offensive has claimed the lives of nearly 7,000 Palestinians and injured over 24,500.

Among the 251 hostages held by Hamas, at least 35 are believed to be alive. Israeli forces have stated their intention to continue military operations to rescue the captives.