Gaza death toll from Israeli attacks exceeds 56,000

The death toll of Palestinians in Israeli ground and air attacks throughout the blockaded Gaza Strip has now reached 56,002. In the past 24 hours alone, 43 people were killed, including 20 who died while attempting to collect food and aid near distribution centers operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is supported by the US and Israel.

On Monday (June 23), more than a hundred Palestinians were also injured throughout the day’s attacks. Since the beginning of Israel's military aggression 20 months ago, the total number of injured has reached 131,342—most of whom are women and children. During this time, Israeli forces have killed over 15,000 children in Gaza.

According to health officials in Gaza, quoted by Qatar-based news outlet Al Jazeera, the bodies of 43 people from the latest attacks were brought to hospitals, and treatment is ongoing for the newly injured.

The Ministry of Health stated that many people are still trapped under rubble and on the streets, and rescue teams are struggling to reach them.

The ministry also reported that since the ceasefire was broken on March 18, at least 5,690 people have been killed and 19,301 injured in renewed Israeli attacks. This comes despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal that was in effect earlier in January, which has since collapsed.

On the other hand, the number of Israeli soldiers killed in ground operations and overall military activities near the Gaza border has reached 433. Some Israeli civilians have also died in Hamas attacks.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups launched a coordinated armed attack from Gaza into Israeli-occupied southern Gaza. They killed 1,195 people and took 251 hostages. Among the dead were 736 Israeli civilians, including 36 children, 379 security personnel, and 79 foreign nationals.

Israel claims that Gaza-based militant groups are still holding 53 hostages. According to the IDF, at least 33 of them are confirmed dead and 20 are believed to be alive. Israeli officials have also expressed deep concern about the condition of three other hostages.

In November last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel also faces genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its indiscriminate attacks on Gaza.