The number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of Israel’s genocidal war in October 2023 has risen to at least 71,266, according to Palestinian medical sources.

The vast majority of those killed are reported to be women and children, underscoring the devastating toll of the assault on civilians.

Local health authorities stated that the total number of injured has reached 171,219, while thousands of victims remain missing, believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed homes and infrastructure. Emergency and civil defense teams continue to face severe difficulties reaching affected areas due to ongoing destruction, lack of equipment, and restrictions on movement.

Medical officials reported that over the past 48 hours, at least 29 Palestinians were confirmed killed, including 25 victims whose deaths had not previously been documented, along with eight new injuries. Authorities noted that delays in recovery and reporting have become routine as hospitals struggle to function amid shortages of fuel, medicine, and medical staff.

Despite the ceasefire agreement announced on October 11, 2025, fatalities have continued to be recorded. Since that date, health authorities have documented 414 additional deaths and 1,142 injuries, while 679 bodies have been recovered from destroyed neighborhoods and mass grave sites.

The Gaza health system remains on the brink of collapse, with hospitals operating far beyond capacity and many facilities rendered partially or completely inoperable. Human rights organizations and humanitarian agencies continue to warn that the true death toll is likely significantly higher than official figures, given the large number of missing persons and the inability to access many areas.

As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza persists, calls are growing for accountability, unrestricted humanitarian access, and urgent international action to halt further loss of civilian life. (ILKHA)