The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to a staggering 64,718 since the start of Israel’s genocidal assault in October 2023, according to medical sources in the besieged enclave.

At least 72 Palestinians were killed and 356 others wounded in the past 24 hours alone as occupation forces intensified their attacks across Gaza.

Health authorities confirmed that the overwhelming majority of the victims are women and children, underscoring what rights groups and international observers have repeatedly described as a systematic campaign of extermination targeting civilians.

Hospitals reported seven additional deaths from starvation and acute malnutrition in the past 24 hours, including several children. This brings the starvation-related death toll to 411, among them 142 children — a grim consequence of Israel’s total blockade, which has choked off food, medicine, and fuel for nearly a year.

Medical teams warn that many more are on the brink of death as aid remains blocked and essential infrastructure lies in ruins. The health ministry says famine-like conditions are rapidly worsening, with hundreds of thousands at risk.

Emergency services report that they are unable to reach many casualties and retrieve bodies trapped under collapsed buildings or lying in the streets, as Israeli forces continue targeting ambulances and civil defense crews. This has left countless families waiting for days to bury their loved ones.

The genocidal onslaught continues despite repeated calls by the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire and binding orders from the International Court of Justice requiring Israel to take steps to prevent genocide and allow humanitarian relief.

Palestinian officials and international human rights organizations say the refusal to heed these calls proves that Israel is pursuing a policy of collective punishment and ethnic cleansing with complete impunity.

Civil society groups across the world have renewed their demand for urgent international intervention, including sanctions, arms embargoes, and pressure on Israel’s backers to halt the ongoing atrocities.

“The world cannot continue to watch in silence as Gaza is starved and bombed into oblivion,” a Gaza-based activist said. “Every hour of inaction means more lives lost.” (ILKHA)