The number of Palestinians killed since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023 has crossed 50,000, according to health officials.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health said on Sunday that at least 50,021 Palestinians have been killed and 113,274 wounded since Israel began attacking the besieged territory following an attack led by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023. An estimated 1,139 people were killed and some 250 were taken captive in the attack in southern Israel.
The ministry said at least 41 people were killed over the past 24-hour reporting period as Israel ramps up its attacks on Gaza after its refusal to enter the second phase of a ceasefire deal it had signed with Hamas in January.
Entering phase 2 would have required Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza – a condition it agreed to in the deal mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. Even during phase 1, which took effect on January 19 and saw the release of captives in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, Israel killed more than 150 Palestinians in Gaza. The confirmed death toll does not include more than 11,000 who are missing and are presumed dead, according to the Gaza media office.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military on Sunday called on residents in the southern Gaza city of Rafah to forcibly evacuate as its troops began operations in the area.
It said Israeli troops had surrounded Rafah’s Tal as-Sultan neighbourhood. Israel has been accused of repeatedly targeting so-called “safe zones” where it forced people to take shelter.
The Israeli military also announced that it was conducting operations in Beit Hanoon in northern Gaza. (Agencies)
