The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza announced on Tuesday morning that the death toll from Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, has risen to 73,066 martyrs, with 173,514 people wounded.

In its daily update, the ministry stated that hospitals received eight civilian bodies and 26 wounded individuals over the past 24 hours, highlighting the continued suffering of the Palestinian population even under a fragile ceasefire.

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, 2025, at least 1,053 Palestinians have been killed and 3,406 others injured, according to ministry figures. Palestinian officials and rights groups attribute these post-ceasefire casualties largely to repeated Israeli violations, including airstrikes, artillery shelling, and ground incursions that target civilian areas.

This staggering toll underscores what many Palestinians, human rights advocates, and international observers describe as a prolonged campaign of destruction against the civilian population of Gaza. The overwhelming majority of victims are civilians, including a high proportion of women and children, whose lives have been shattered by relentless bombardment, displacement, and the collapse of essential services.

The health ministry, which operates under extreme conditions with damaged hospitals and limited resources, has consistently documented these figures despite immense challenges. Independent analyses and studies, including those published in The Lancet, have suggested that the true number of deaths—both direct and indirect from the war’s devastating effects on healthcare, sanitation, and food supplies—may be even higher.

Palestinians across Gaza and the broader region view these deaths not merely as statistics but as martyrs in a struggle for survival and dignity against occupation and what many term genocidal policies. The ceasefire, while offering a momentary pause in large-scale operations, has failed to deliver meaningful protection or reconstruction, with daily violations reported and humanitarian needs remaining acute.

The international community continues to call for accountability, an end to the violence, and a just resolution that addresses the root causes of the conflict, including the long-standing Palestinian quest for freedom, statehood, and self-determination.

This latest report serves as a grim reminder of the human cost borne by the people of Gaza, who endure unimaginable hardship while the world watches. Efforts toward a lasting and equitable peace remain urgent to prevent further loss of innocent lives. (ILKHA)