Gaza Death Toll Surges Past 70,000 as Israel's Air Campaign Continues Amid Ceasefire
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A devastating milestone has been reached in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 70,000 since the war began in 2023. Despite a ceasefire taking effect on October 10, the number of fatalities continues to rise. In the latest incident, a hospital in southern Gaza reported the deaths of two Palestinian children, aged 8 and 11, who were struck by an Israeli drone near a school sheltering displaced families. According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 352 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire came into effect. Israel's military claims it has targeted individuals suspected of violating the truce, but Hamas has accused the country of violating the ceasefire. The Israeli Defense Forces say they have targeted individuals who crossed the 'yellow line,' a position agreed upon under the US-brokered ceasefire. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages. Most hostages have since been returned through ceasefires or negotiated exchanges. As the death toll in Gaza continues to climb, international mediators are being urged to press Israel to halt what Hamas calls ceasefire violations in the territory.
