Medical sources in the Gaza Strip have reported that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli military offensive has risen to 72,980, with 173,171 people injured since the start of the war on October 7, 2023.

According to Gaza health officials, hospitals received the bodies of eight Palestinians killed and 43 wounded people within the past 24 hours alone, as strikes and ground operations continue across multiple areas of the territory.

Health authorities further stated that since the ceasefire announcement on October 11 of last year, at least 970 Palestinians have been killed and 3,063 injured in continued Israeli attacks, while 782 bodies have been recovered from beneath rubble or from areas previously inaccessible to emergency crews.

Officials emphasized that these figures reflect only confirmed cases brought to hospitals, warning that the actual death toll may be significantly higher due to missing persons still believed to be trapped under destroyed buildings.

Medical and civil defense teams report severe difficulties in reaching victims, as widespread infrastructure damage, ongoing security risks, and shortages of heavy equipment continue to hinder rescue operations across the Gaza Strip.

Ambulance crews and rescue workers are reportedly unable to access many impacted areas, leaving dozens of casualties unaccounted for and increasing concerns over those still buried beneath collapsed structures.

The latest figures come amid what humanitarian organizations describe as a rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza, where hospitals remain overwhelmed and medical supplies are critically limited due to the prolonged blockade and sustained military operations.

Health officials warn that the collapse of essential infrastructure has made it increasingly difficult to treat the wounded, particularly in northern Gaza, where repeated strikes have severely damaged hospitals and emergency response systems.

Palestinian authorities and humanitarian observers continue to call for urgent international intervention to halt the violence, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, and enable rescue teams to reach affected areas.

As the conflict continues, Gaza’s health system remains under immense strain, with medical personnel warning that the combination of ongoing attacks, mass displacement, and lack of resources is pushing the enclave toward an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. (ILKHA)